The 10X MSME Finance Exchange by UNCDF
We were pleased to participate in the 10X MSME Finance Exchange held last week, convened by United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) together with key ecosystem partners. The engagement brought together diverse stakeholders committed to strengthening access to finance for micro and small enterprises, with a strong focus on women-led businesses.
The discussions reinforced a critical reality unlocking finance for MSMEs goes beyond capital. It requires a coordinated ecosystem where policy, innovation and enterprise support structures are aligned to address the real needs of entrepreneurs.
Some of the major reflections from the engagement included;
– Data integrity, transparency and responsible financing frameworks are increasingly central to building trust and scalability within the financial ecosystem.
– Sustainable access to finance is closely linked to business readiness capacity building, mentorship and market access remain essential pillars for MSME growth.
– Multi-stakeholder collaboration remains key to driving inclusive and resilient economic development.
– Financial solutions must evolve to reflect the lived realities of entrepreneurs, particularly women, including irregular cash flows and limited collateral.
– Digital innovation continues to play a transformative role in improving visibility, record-keeping and access to opportunities for small businesses.
CRBA remains committed to contributing to initiatives that advance an enabling environment for MSMEs and strengthen the financial ecosystem in Uganda.
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