Centenary Bank Empowers Women Entrepreneurs Through GROW Conference in Sheema

Centenary Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs after hosting the GROW Women Conference for the Ankole Subregion in Sheema District.

The conference brought together more than 200 women entrepreneurs from 15 districts across the region for a day of learning, networking, and exploring opportunities for business growth through financial support.

The event focused on creating awareness about the GROW Project, sharing success stories from beneficiaries, and helping women understand available financial services designed to support their businesses.

Speaking during the conference, Centenary Bank representatives highlighted the importance of empowering women with the right financial tools and knowledge to grow sustainable enterprises.

“Women entrepreneurs play a critical role in Uganda’s economic growth. Through initiatives like GROW, we are committed to providing women with access to financing, financial literacy, and the support they need to expand their businesses,” a Centenary Bank representative said.

The conference delivered immediate results, with 15 new accounts opened and 38 GROW loan applications booked on-site. The response reflected the increasing confidence among women entrepreneurs in accessing formal financial services to strengthen their businesses.

Participants also shared their experiences and provided feedback on key areas including awareness of financial products, loan processing, financial literacy, and customer service. One of the participants appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with the bank and learn more about available financing options.

“This conference has helped us understand how we can access financial support and manage our businesses better. Having these conversations with the bank gives us confidence to take bigger steps as entrepreneurs,” one participant said.

Centenary Bank noted that the feedback collected during the conference will guide improvements in service delivery as the institution continues to promote financial inclusion among women-owned businesses.

Through the GROW Project and other initiatives, Centenary Bank continues to support women entrepreneurs across Uganda by providing access to financing, knowledge, and opportunities that enable businesses to thrive.