The Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL) has concluded training for the first cohort of the Green Businesses and Jobs for the Green Transformation Project, a flagship initiative that supports women-led enterprises promoting environmental sustainability.
More than 32 women-led green businesses pitched their transformative ideas, outlining how they plan to strengthen their capacity to access finance, improve operational efficiency and increase their environmental impact.
Implemented in partnership with GIZ, the German development cooperation agency, and the ministry of Gender, the Green Businesses and Jobs for the Green Transformation Project is running in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The initiative supports women’s economic development while accelerating the shift to a greener and more sustainable regional economy. It is part of the broader Women for the Green Transformation in Africa programme, which is jointly funded by the government of Norway and the European Union.
Fatumah Kayaga Ntanzi, the GIZ programme coordinator at the incubator, said 32 businesses completed this phase and pitched before the judges.
“The panel assessed how well participants understood the training, their readiness to apply the knowledge and their commitment to transforming their businesses,” she said.
She said over the intensive two-month training, participants improved their financial literacy, gained practical business skills and deepened their understanding of sustainable growth strategies needed to compete in the green economy.
“This programme has been intense and exciting. The Regenerate Africa team has led most of the training, along with exposure visits to market leaders such as Sumz Food Industries. The next step is linking these SMEs to financing opportunities and potential investors, including venture capitalists, to support their growth,” Ntanzi said.
Charles Kabiswa, the team leader and executive director at Regenerate Africa, said they were proud to partner with the incubator in training 200 women-led SMEs. He said it was inspiring to see how businesses are adopting greener models in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, the circular economy and waste management.
“Many are producing briquettes, energy-saving stoves, solar solutions or are involved in agro-processing and food systems,” Kabiswa said.
Some participants expressed renewed confidence after presenting their business plans. Veronica Nandugwa Brenda, the CEO of Yoola Kasasilo, said she was encouraged to expand her vision nationally and pursue government certification.
“I aim to build a large-scale composite system that converts organic waste into fertiliser. The feedback has motivated me to refine my business further,” she said.
Dr Proscovia Athieno, the founder of Aroza Group Limited, said she had learnt practical ways to reduce her company’s carbon footprint, such as conserving water, improving energy efficiency and ensuring a positive impact on the community.
