Ugandan micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) contribute over 80% of output, 75% of the GDP, and significantly to the employment in the country. Thus, MSMEs play an important role in the economy of the country. However, they are unable to leverage their growth potential on account of constraints particularly the access to finance.

MicroSave conducted an assessment of Ugandan MSME sector, their financial needs and consequent product development opportunities for financial service providers. This note features MSMEs’ access to finance in Uganda and charts a potential roadmap for banks and other financial institutions in Uganda as they expand and downscale to serve the MSME market. We provide actionable recommendations for financial institutions to strengthen finance delivery to tap the opportunities that MSMEs in the country present.