Centenary Bank, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s financial inclusion and long-term wealth creation through its support of the She Counts Fair, a transformative program developed together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed at equipping women with the tools and knowledge to take control of their financial futures through informed decisions, stronger strategies, and access to opportunities.
Speaking at the launch of the fair in Kampala, Centenary Bank Managing Director, Fabian Kasi, emphasized the urgent need to shift the narrative around women’s financial participation from basic survival to strategic wealth building.
“For too long, the financial dialogue surrounding women has been relegated to the sidelines of “micro-survival” and basic savings. We therefore join in the effort to pivot the conversation toward a more ambitious horizon with the She Counts initiative that seeks to empower women to grow their finances,” Kasi said.
As the country moves toward its goal of middle-income status by 2027, the role of women in the private sector has become a primary driver of GDP and social resilience.
Women-owned businesses are a major force in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, which accounts for roughly 80% of Uganda’s GDP. Approximately 40% of all micro- and small-enterprises in Uganda are women-owned. These businesses contributed to a national GDP growth rate of over 6% in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, fueled largely by increased domestic investment from local entrepreneurs.
Kasi noted that despite this progress, gaps in financial knowledge and access to investment opportunities persist. According to the Bank of Uganda’s Financial Capability Survey (2020), financial literacy among women stands at 45%, compared to 53% among men.
“Through this initiative, we are committed to closing this gap and ensuring that every woman has the tools to build a secure and independent future. By enhancing financial inclusion and asset building, we are strengthening a woman’s agency and providing the economic resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges with confidence,” he said.
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