MTN Advances Women’s Economic Inclusion, Commissions Major Northern Uganda Network Site
Introduced two years ago, MTNAWE was designed to increase the participation of women entrepreneurs in Uganda’s supply chain through access to training, financing, and business opportunities.
MTN Uganda has launched the second phase of its Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (MTNAWE) programme, marking a major step in the company’s long-term strategy to strengthen women-led enterprises and accelerate digital-led economic growth across the country. The launch took place in Gulu, where MTN also commissioned the largest MTN site in Northern Uganda and highlighted the achievements of the programme’s first cohort.
Introduced two years ago, MTNAWE was designed to increase the participation of women entrepreneurs in Uganda’s supply chain through access to training, financing, and business opportunities. The initiative has now evolved into a growing ecosystem of women-led enterprises demonstrating measurable economic impact.
To date, 118 women-led businesses have participated in MTNAWE. These businesses have secured approximately Shs 18 billion in MTN contracts and accessed Shs 1.6 billion in subsidized loans provided through the DFCU Bank Women in Business programme. Participants have also completed training in procurement processes, technical skills, financial management, and ESG compliance—skills that have strengthened their competitiveness in national markets.
The programme has already produced notable success stories, including entrepreneurs who have expanded operations, created new jobs, and delivered on major MTN projects. These examples reflect MTN Uganda’s view of MTNAWE as a strategic investment in Uganda’s economic transformation, rather than a corporate social initiative.
The expansion of MTNAWE is supported by key partners including dfcu Bank, ATC, and The Innovation Village. Through this collaboration, MTN aims to decentralize economic opportunity and ensure that women entrepreneurs across all regions gain access to the resources and networks required to innovate and scale sustainably.
With the opening of MTN’s largest site in Northern Uganda and the rollout of Phase 2, the company is deepening its commitment to inclusive growth, stronger supply chains, and broader digital participation across the country.
