By Tolit Ivan
MTN Uganda, the Country’s leading Telecommunications Company has launched the second phase of an initiative dubbed ‘’Advancing Women Entrepreneur (AWE)’’ to empower women in technology to boost their economic growth.
AWE Program is MTN Uganda’s flagship initiative dedicated to empowering women-owned businesses and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Launched in October 2023, in partnership with leading organizations such as dfcu Bank-Women in Business, American Towers Company Uganda, The Innovation Village, Private Sector Foundation Uganda and NSSF Hi Innovators, AWE aims to grow the supply base, build strategic partnerships and create sustainable ecosystems in the Supply Chain.
Through mentorship, training, and access to networks, AWE equips women entrepreneurs with the tools to overcome barriers in Finance, technology and market visibility driving progress toward inclusion and long-term business resilience.
Speaking during the launch of the second phase of the program from Unifat Primary School in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City on Nov. 19, 2025 Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, said the three years initiative is aimed at providing a platform for local women entrepreneurs to use digital space to do business so as to earn more money.
Dorothy Kabagambe Semanda, the Chief Executive Officer, American Tower Company, said the vision of the project is to create work for women led businesses in the space of technology to make them grow for self-sustainability.
The first phase of the project has seen 118 women entrepreneurs grow their businesses through digital space.
To participate in the AWE initiative, women entrepreneurs must exhibit at least 50 per cent ownership by women either wholly or through a majority shareholding, the applying company should demonstrate an annual revenue of a minimum of UGX 60 million, the company must be locally registered and have been in operation for at least one year, applicants are required to possess a valid tax compliance certificate and the applying company should boast actively managed and women-led operations.
Expression of interest is mainly welcome from women entrepreneurs involved in businesses such as IT equipment and related services, network services, digital services, facility management services and commercial products and services.
