The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), working with the International Trade Centre (ITC), has onboarded more than 40 Business Development Service (BDS) providers onto the MSME Financing Gateway, a digital platform designed to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The onboarding session, held at Protea Hotel Naguru Skyz in Kampala, on Tuesday March 3rd, introduced the BDS providers to the platform and equipped them with the practical knowledge needed to support businesses seeking financing opportunities.
Through the Gateway, MSMEs can connect directly to financial institutions, explore suitable financial products, and access business advisory services that help them strengthen their operations and meet financing requirements.
The training guided participants through the platform’s functionality, including registration procedures, how to navigate its features, and how BDS providers can use the system to better support the enterprises they serve.
PSFU Manager for Member Services, Ronny Mulongo, who led the training alongside Outreach Manager Florence Mambea, highlighted the importance of BDS providers in preparing enterprises to become investment-ready.
“BDS providers play a critical role in strengthening MSMEs by helping them improve their systems, documentation, and overall business readiness for financing,” Mulongo said. “By bringing them onto the MSME Financing Gateway, we are ensuring that businesses receive the right support to successfully connect with financial institutions.”
Mulongo also reassured participants that the platform has been developed with robust data protection measures to ensure the safety and confidentiality of user information.
Florence Mambea noted that beyond linking MSMEs to finance, the platform also improves collaboration within the business support ecosystem by giving BDS providers greater visibility and opportunities to connect with enterprises seeking advisory services.
Also speaking at the event, Juliet Musoke, International Coordinator for the EU-MARKUP II Programme funded by the European Union, reaffirmed ITC’s commitment to supporting stakeholders in effectively using the platform.
She noted that the International Trade Centre will continue providing guidance and technical support to ensure that BDS providers are able to maximize the opportunities presented by the Gateway.
The MSME Financing Gateway is part of wider efforts to strengthen Uganda’s private sector by improving financial inclusion and ensuring that small businesses have access to both capital and the technical support required to grow.
Through the collaboration between PSFU and ITC, stakeholders say the platform will contribute to a more coordinated and efficient business support system, ultimately enabling more MSMEs across the country to access sustainable financing.
