Introduction
African Women Agri-Business Network Uganda Ltd is a membership organisation that brings together women entrepreneurs in agri-food value chains. It was registered in 2004 by 6 women entrepreneurs but has since grown to over 250 members operating at different modes of agri-food value chains from all over Uganda. AWAN Uganda provides to its members and other partners a range of services such as promotion of climate smart agriculture technologies including renewable energy technologies, provision of business development services, market linkages and capacity building services. AWAN Uganda is a member of the Graca Machel Trust (GMT) network.
They provide a wide range of services to both member and non-member SMEs such as financial inclusion, market access and enhancing economic opportunities.
TDC funding
The funding from the Trade for Development Centre (€ 50000) will be used to implement the Women in Coffee Export Readiness Project (WICER), designed to empower 50 women-owned SMEs in Uganda’s coffee value chain to export sustainably and respect human rights standards. The grant will cover a series of activities including competitive onboarding and selection of eligible enterprises, launching the project for stakeholder engagement and visibility, conducting baseline and endline surveys to monitor performance, and developing tailored tools for sustainable supply chain management, quality standards, and market access. Key staff from participating SMEs will receive training in climate-smart agriculture, outgrower management, European quality standards and certification, and export procedures.
The funding will also support business development services, including advisory support, coaching, and financial literacy workshops to enhance access to finance and non-financial services. Essential resources such as personnel, training venues, logistics, communication tools, laptops, and materials will be financed, enabling successful implementation of project activities. The intervention will produce user-friendly guides and materials, facilitate connections with financial institutions and export opportunities, and ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of SME progress. Ultimately, Enabel’s support will help women entrepreneurs build competitive, sustainable export businesses, increase profitability, and drive inclusive growth in Uganda’s coffee sector.
