By Our Reporter
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By Our Reporter
KAMPALA, June 25 — NCBA Bank Uganda has partnered with MAT Abacus Business School to provide business training, mentorship and coaching to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a move aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship and improving business sustainability. The partnership, unveiled in Kampala on Thursday, seeks to address one of the biggest challenges facing Uganda’s SME sector — limited access to business development skills despite growing access to financing. Under the arrangement, SME customers of NCBA Bank will receive structured business support through the bank’s Enterprise Development Program, with MAT Abacus delivering training in areas such as financial management, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, strategic planning and business growth. The initiative comes at a time when SMEs continue to play a central role in Uganda’s economy, accounting for a significant share of employment and business activity, yet many struggle to transition from survival enterprises into sustainable and scalable businesses. Speaking during the signing ceremony, NCBA Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer Mark Muyobo said the financial sector must move beyond lending and actively support entrepreneurs in building stronger enterprises. “While access to finance remains important, it is not sufficient on its own. Many businesses require additional support in areas such as governance, financial management and strategic planning. This partnership is intended to bridge that gap and help businesses become more resilient and growth-oriented,” Muyobo said. He noted that SMEs remain a critical driver of economic growth, innovation and job creation, making their success essential to Uganda’s broader development agenda. The Enterprise Development Program forms part of NCBA Bank’s strategy to deepen support for SMEs through a combination of financing solutions and non-financial services. According to the bank, participating businesses will gain access to practical training programmes, business clinics, coaching sessions and advisory support tailored to the realities of operating and expanding a business in Uganda. Muyobo said the bank’s objective is to help enterprises formalise operations, strengthen internal systems and improve their readiness for growth and investment opportunities. “We want to position ourselves as a long-term growth partner for businesses. Our ambition is not only to provide capital but also to support entrepreneurs with the knowledge and capabilities they need to succeed over the long term,” he said. MAT Abacus Business School described the partnership as an opportunity to strengthen Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by equipping business owners with practical skills that directly influence performance and sustainability. Prof. Samuel Sejjaaka, Chief Executive Officer of MAT Abacus, said many SMEs possess strong growth potential but often lack access to structured business development programmes. “We are pleased to collaborate with NCBA Bank in supporting entrepreneurs through practical training and coaching. Building managerial and leadership capacity is essential if businesses are to scale, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to economic transformation,” Sejjaaka said. He added that strengthening SMEs would also support government’s economic growth ambitions under the National Development Plan and the country’s broader private sector development agenda. Industry analysts have increasingly highlighted the need for greater investment in entrepreneurial capacity building, arguing that access to finance delivers stronger outcomes when combined with business management skills and mentorship. The NCBA-MAT Abacus partnership reflects a growing trend among financial institutions to provide integrated support services that address both the financial and operational needs of businesses.