KAMPALA, UGANDA – Financial experts gathered in Kampala are calling for inclusive policies to bridge the gender gap in investments.
The appeal was made at the Women Investment Breakfast Forum, held during World Investor Week. Industry leaders emphasized the need for tailored policies, platforms, and products to support women entrepreneurs and investors.
Irene Birungi Mugisha, CEO Association president, stressed the importance of addressing women’s unique financial challenges.
“As leaders in our various capacities, it is our responsibility to champion this. We must work together to create policies, platforms, and products that are inclusive by design but also tailored to the needs of women. This means building environments where women can thrive as entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers.”
Ms. Mugisha also emphasized the need to bridge the information gap and ensure women understand how fintech solutions and digital platforms can unlock their financial potential.
“Today, we have seen and had people talk about the different barriers, information gap, mention it. How best can we build this literacy going forward and also build financial inclusion to enable women to have their banking statements speak for what they’re doing?”
Josephine Okui Ossiya, CEO of the Capital Markets Authority, highlighted digital transformation’s potential to expand markets and support women-led businesses.
“There are some innovations in e-commerce and in the agricultural space, and these have had an impact where 80% of women in smallholder farms in Africa who use mobile-based platforms have now got improved financial services. So again, there are things that are being done in different parts of the world, but I think we need to bring those things home to be able to really impact the women in Uganda.”
Ms. Okui emphasized the importance of educating women on corporate governance principles.
“As we drive technology, we also have to start teaching women to see what kind of structures can be put in place. It may not necessarily be a board, but you have a group of people who you talk with, who you drive with. We talk about strategy on how to grow these businesses.”
Paul Bwiso, CEO of the Uganda Securities Exchange, encouraged women to maintain good track records, collaborate, and engage experts for sustainable growth.
“While speaking to journalists, Mr. Bwiso noted that the breakfast forum addressed several key issues, including how women can benefit from the capital markets and leverage various opportunities. He also highlighted the large proportion of youth, making up about 70% of Uganda’s population.
“There was also a discussion around being cognizant of the demographics in the country and where the youth take a big part of 70% are below 30 years, and they are those below 19 is 50% of the population. So in the room, the discussion was, how do we plan for these youth, and also make sure that they come to take advantage of the capital markets that provide efficient capital for investment.”
The forum addressed effective communication strategies for rural markets and businesses, particularly regarding saving and investment.
Experts also emphasized educating women on corporate governance principles and providing training on financial record-keeping, networking, and marketing.
The push for inclusive policies comes as Uganda seeks to increase women’s participation in capital markets.
According to the World Bank, women’s economic empowerment is crucial for sustainable growth.
