EU Backs Shs17.8 Million Grants for Ugandan Women in Green Economy

Applications are currently open for a European Union-supported initiative offering seed capital, training, and mentorship specifically for Ugandan women entrepreneurs leading “green businesses.” The program aims to boost women-led enterprises tackling the country’s significant environmental and climate challenges.

The initiative, known as Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa, or IYBA-WE4A, is providing $5,000 (about 17.8 million shillings) in seed capital to selected applicants. Beyond the grant, the program offers world-class business training, personalized mentorship, and access to exclusive business networks across Africa and Europe.

The IYBA-WE4A program is a major joint effort backed by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. It is implemented through a robust partnership including the Tony Elumelu Foundation, or TEF, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, or GIZ, and Goodwell Investments.

The program is keenly interested in Ugandan women entrepreneurs whose businesses are focused on green solutions—enterprises zero to five years old that address environmental, climate-smart, or sustainability issues.

Minister of Water and Environment Sam Cheptoris recently highlighted the urgent need for such enterprises, noting that Uganda is losing a drastic 80,000 hectares of forest annually, while urban waste is increasing by 4.7% per year.

“Contrary to expectations, these challenges are opening unprecedented business opportunities — particularly for women and youth, who remain under-represented in high-growth sectors, but are often the most affected by climate shocks,” Cheptoris stated.

James Byamukama, executive director of the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, underscored that a lack of access to growth finance and strong business networks is a major hurdle for these promising local ventures. The WE4A program is designed to directly address this gap.

Application Details

The program is also open to women entrepreneurs in Senegal, Togo, Malawi, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

The deadline for applications is Jan. 25, 2026. Shortlisted Ugandan applicants will gain access to a specialized curriculum on business management and the green economy via the TEFConnect platform. Completing the program enhances an enterprise’s credibility and visibility, signaling readiness to attract future investors and partners.