From biomass-based briquette production to affordable solar power installations – these are some innovative green business models of the 35 SMEs participating in the third round of the UGEFA Catalyser. Divided in 4 groups, these SMEs participate in hands-on interactive workshops in Kampala and Lira and work with their peers on key topics for financial readiness and enterprise growth. These workshops, taking place from April 2022 until July 2022, are facilitated by our expert UGEFA Business Advisors from Ichuli, Ancywax, Renewable Energy Business Incubator, and Reign Business Development Agency.
With the second of three UGEFA Catalyser workshops on the way, the selected SMEs have already eagerly started to refine their business plans and financial systems management. A particular strong focus throughout the workshops is to hone the enterprises’ economic, social, and green impact measurement. Additionally, with the top tier business development support and hands-on interactive capacity building, the enterprises develop a consolidated growth strategy and investment proposal. This knowledge prepares the enterprises for scaling their green business models, while ensuring that they are all set for the loan application.
In general, the participants are avid to learn and proactively participate in the sessions. As the UGEFA Business Advisors reported, there were lots of energy in the workshops and peer exchange on common challenges and sharing of solutions, while actively working on green investment ideas for their businesses. Some SMEs have already developed compelling investment proposals. Ancel Ochino Bwire, one of the UGEFA business advisors from Ancywax, shares one of them: “One enterprise suggests giving away free clean stoves, which is very interesting to me. They are encouraging uptake of briquettes as to entice new users. Giving away stoves thereby makes a person just buy the briquettes and they can start using them straightaway.”
