Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL), in partnership with the Embassy of France in Uganda, has launched the Stanbic GreenTech Incubator Programme to empower early-stage innovators building sustainable solutions in Uganda’s growing green economy. The initiative targets youth and women aged 18 to 35 years residing in Kampala and Hoima District, offering them practical support to grow environmentally conscious businesses.
The programme seeks to address how Uganda can create jobs, protect the environment and strengthen local enterprises at the same time. By supporting small and medium enterprises operating in the green technology sector, the GreenTech Incubator aims to drive inclusive economic growth while helping the country transition toward a cleaner and more resilient future.
Strengthening the Green Economy Through Skills, Mentorship and Access to Finance
The Stanbic GreenTech Incubator is built around the theme “Youth and Women Employment in Tomorrow’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” It offers participants a structured six to eighteen-month support package that includes training, mentorship, financial guidance and exposure to investors. Selected entrepreneurs will also benefit from pitching events where they can present their innovations to expert panels for feedback and potential funding opportunities.
Each business will undergo screening and due diligence using Stanbic’s Third-Party Risk Management framework, along with integrity checks to ensure credibility and transparency. The programme also includes tailored needs assessments to prepare participants for product development and market entry, ensuring their innovations are both viable and sustainable.
Participants will receive hands-on coaching from industry experts through physical, virtual and on-site training sessions, as well as connections to advanced incubation hubs. These hubs will provide a platform for collaboration, testing ideas and refining business models. Access to financial advisory services will further help participants understand investment readiness, manage cash flow and prepare for funding.
During the launch event at Protea Hotel in Kampala, Catherine Poran, Chief Executive Officer of SBIL, said the programme represents an important milestone in the ongoing partnership between Stanbic and the French Embassy in Uganda. She noted that the initiative highlights Stanbic’s continued commitment to supporting the country’s economic growth through innovation and sustainability.
Poran emphasized that the green economy presents one of Uganda’s most promising opportunities for job creation and inclusive development. She added that integrating environmentally friendly business models into Uganda’s economic strategy is essential for ensuring sustainable development, protecting natural resources, fostering inclusive growth and strengthening resilience to climate change. She explained that green business models focus on sustainability across all areas of enterprise operations, aiming to reduce environmental impact while creating both economic and social value.
Building a Sustainable Future for Uganda’s Entrepreneurs
The Stanbic GreenTech Incubator Programme will run for two years, targeting 200 women and youth-led micro-enterprises in key sectors such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green mobility, circular economy, waste management, water and health and natural resource management. These areas were selected for their potential to create long-term community impact and contribute to Uganda’s transition toward a green economy.
The programme will be implemented in the Kampala Metropolitan Area and the Albertine Region, both identified as high-potential zones for green innovation and enterprise growth. Its broader goal is to promote a resilient, inclusive and innovative economy by improving access to finance, building enterprise capacity and creating a supportive business environment for green startups.
As a subsidiary of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited, SBIL has a strong record of supporting local businesses. The incubator has already helped more than 5,700 small and medium enterprises through training programmes focused on business management, market access and financial literacy. The GreenTech Programme builds on this foundation by expanding its focus toward sustainability and climate resilience.
By combining Stanbic’s experience in enterprise development with the French Embassy’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth, the initiative is expected to have a strong multiplier effect. It will create jobs, promote clean technologies and encourage responsible entrepreneurship.
The GreenTech Incubator comes at a time when Uganda, like many countries, is working to balance economic growth with environmental protection. By empowering young innovators and women entrepreneurs, the programme not only builds individual success stories but also contributes to Uganda’s broader goal of achieving a green, inclusive and sustainable economy.
Applications are currently open to eligible participants living in Hoima or Kampala who operate within the green technology sector.
