Nile Breweries, NSSF partner to expand savings culture among small retailers

Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) has launched a nationwide programme aimed at strengthening small retail businesses while expanding access to long-term savings and digital financial services among Uganda’s informal sector entrepreneurs.

The initiative, dubbed Growing Retailers Innovatively Together (GRIT), will train more than 1,500 bar owners, stockists and retail managers in business management, financial literacy and digital commerce skills.

The programme, which was launched in Kampala’s Makindye Division, comes at a time when policymakers and private sector players are seeking ways to improve the sustainability of small businesses that form the backbone of Uganda’s economy.

A key feature of this year’s programme is a partnership with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), through which participating retailers will be introduced to SmartLife Flexi, a voluntary savings scheme designed for workers and entrepreneurs outside formal employment.

NSSF Managing Director Patrick Ayota said the partnership presents an opportunity to extend social security coverage to thousands of small business operators who have traditionally remained outside formal retirement savings arrangements.

“Many small business owners contribute significantly to Uganda’s economy but operate without structured long-term savings or social security support,” Ayota said.

He noted that SmartLife Flexi provides a flexible savings platform that enables informal sector workers to build financial security while continuing to run their businesses.

According to NSSF, the scheme has attracted more than 81,000 members who have collectively saved over Shs126 billion within 13 months of its launch.

The GRIT programme will also provide training in financial management, stock control, sales and marketing, responsible retailing and business planning.

NBL Managing Director Nkanyiso Mncwabe said the company views retailer development as critical to both its business and the wider economy.

“Retailers are a critical part of our business and Uganda’s economy. Our goal is not only to help them increase sales but also to build stronger and more sustainable enterprises,” he said.

The brewer says the initiative builds on previous editions that trained more than 1,560 retailers in 2024 and 2025.

In addition to financial literacy training, participants will be encouraged to adopt digital payment systems through a partnership with MTN MoMo.

MTN MoMo Corporate Sales Manager John Isabirye said digital financial services are increasingly becoming essential tools for small businesses seeking to improve efficiency and reduce risks associated with handling cash.

The programme targets a segment of Uganda’s economy that employs millions of people. According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics data, small and medium enterprises account for about 90 percent of businesses in the country, employ more than 2.5 million people and contribute roughly 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product.

For many retailers, limited access to formal financial services, business training and retirement savings remains a major challenge despite their significant contribution to economic activity.

NBL says the expanded programme seeks to address these gaps by combining entrepreneurship training with access to savings products and digital financial tools, helping small business owners build resilience and prepare for long-term growth.