WOMEN OWNED SMEs

PRESENTATION BY DR. MAGGIE KIGOZI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UIAVICE PRESIDENT, WAIPA

2003 U.S – AFRICA BUSINESS SUMMIT,THE CORPORATE COUNCIL ON AFRICA

WASHINGTON DC.

VISION“Make Uganda the leading Investment destination”.

MISSION“Make a significant and measurable contribution to Uganda’s development process by promoting private Investment”.

ROLETo promote, facilitate and monitor investment in

Uganda.To provide advisory services to Government on

policies which affect investment.

UIA – VISION, MISSION AND ROLE

BACKGROUND

• 1995 – Uganda Manufacturers’ Association. Had 2 women board members.• UWEAL – Weak• UIA – No participation by women investors• 2000 – Launched UIA WEN with 50 invited

members. - Included UWEAL.

- Monthly Meetings. - Monthly Business visits.

Networking Locally

•Networking Committee.

•Capacity Building.

•Economic.

Networking Internationally• AABWA (African American Business Women's

Alliance)

• CBWN (Commonwealth Business Women’s Network)

• CABWA (Canada African Business Women Alliance)

• Africa – NEPAD???

• East Africa – EAC???

• ECA (Economic Council for Africa) – EDF (Enterprise Development Facility)

• Joint Venture promotion proposals – Foreign & Domestic

• Business Deals

• Mentoring – Young women are encouraged to participate

• Exposure - Media

CAPACITY BUILDING

a) Sensitization – Speakersb) Information – UIAc) Opportunities e.g CIPE Leadership training in

Chicago (12), Botswana virtually (60), Uganda (4).

- Conferences in Chicago (2000), Botswana (2002), Washington (2003), South Africa (2003).- Fairs/ Exhibitions – Italy, Netherlands- Enterprise Uganda – BDS

d) Business Visits…

SUCCESSES• Membership has grown to 200 enterprises• UIA for a include up to 30% women• UIA Business Advisory council includes 1/3

women CEOs.• Leadership – President of UNCCI

- Chairperson, UWEAL - Executive Director, UWEAL - UMA – One Board Member - East African Legislature – 2 - African Seed

THE WAY FORWARD

• African IPAs should initiate a WEN

• African women entrepreneurs should demand from IPAs (government) that they should facilitate women owned businesses in a special way.

CONTACT INFORMATION• UGANDA INVESTMENT

AUTHORITY,• The Investment Center• Plot 28 Kampala Road• P.O.Box 7418 Kampala

• Tel: (256) 41 251562/5• Fax: (256) 41 342903• Email:

info@ugandainvest.com • Website:

www.ugandainvest.com

T H A N K Y O U