Equity Bank Uganda Limited has partnered with KPMG and Daily Monitor to launch the 2024 Uganda Top 100 SME survey campaign. The campaign aims to recognize and empower small and medium-sized businesses in Uganda that are doing exceptionally well.
The campaign is open to SMEs with a turnover of Shs360 million to Shs25 billion and will run for three months. The top SMEs will be recognized at a gala dinner in December. Equity Bank is committed to supporting SMEs through affordable credit solutions, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training.
Anthony Kituuka, Managing Director of Equity Bank Uganda Limited, encouraged all participants to join, stating, “It will give you visibility. Additionally, any SME that comes to Equity Bank to access any of our products will be given a 2% discount after being listed in the Top 100 SMEs.”
He further explained Equity Bank’s approach to empowering communities, saying, “At Equity, we offer integrated financial services that empower consumers, individuals, MSMEs, communities, regional and global businesses. We don’t only focus on making money from businesses and communities, but believe if a community is well empowered, it will then seek our services.”
Edgar Mukasa from KPMG Uganda discussed tax opportunities for SMEs in the upcoming financial year, revealing the government’s increased spending and the need for businesses to tap into these opportunities.
He said, “The fact that the government, which has always been the biggest spender, suddenly means that there will be a lot of opportunities for those of us in business. So a question then will be for you in business, how have you established the business and how have you placed yourself to be able to tap into the opportunities that there are looking at the budget under the direction that we’re going as a country?”
Arthur Mukembo from Innovation Village explained the importance of SMEs in transforming economies and highlighted their contribution to the journey through technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, and research ecosystems.
“At innovation village we see the power of SMEs and transforming economies. For context, we have the privilege of the last six or so years working with over 25,000 people across the country. This whole space of SMEs accounts for about 83%,” he said.
