INIVTE rolled out the Export Firm Support (EFS) sub-component with an awareness campaign targeting manufacturers and export firms, as well as potential exporters. The campaign ran through the months of February and March, 2025 and began with workshops in Kampala, Mbale and Mbarara, to provide information on the application and eligibility requirements for the 2nd Call for Proposals, following the 2024 initial Call.
The workshops were structured with the EFS Project Manager Daniel Kisekka presenting INVITE in general and the EFS Sub-component specific to the workshops which comprised the INVITE Components, Project Online Portal registration and application process, and interactive sessions with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) complete with answers and encouraged eligible stakeholders to take advantage of the financial support.
Key support was offered by officials from Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives (MoTIC), Mr Anthony Maraka and Mr Francis Koluo respectively who sit on the EFS Committee. The latter being the Chairman of the EFS Committee assured the exporters that the Trade Ministry would support them with necessary information gaps to ease their ability to participate in the project.
In his remarks, PSFU Chief Executive Officer Mr Stephen Asiimwe intimated that INVITE is providing a huge value proposition through exposure, synergies and networks.
The EFS sub-component supports existing and potential exporters to meet consumer demand through specialized technical assistance and capacity-building activities. It will boost Ugandan firm exports in value-added manufactured products to regional and high-income markets by supporting firms to enter new export markets or expand their presence through upgrading firms’ organizational and production capacities to deliver to the demand of foreign buyers.
The campaign sought to reach practicing businesses with potential for growth, providing them with information regarding the 2nd round of the EFS Call for Proposals (CFP) and the available financial support for growth of these businesses. The workshops brought together over 300 participants with over half of these applying to the CFP.
Manufacturers and semi-manufacturers as well as exporters and potential exporters who qualify will get reimbursements of up to 80% of their costs for each activity embarked on. The eligible activities that are funded under the second round of the EFS Call include export market identification and segmentation, to identify new markets or expand already existing export markets for firm’s products, production design and adaptation, branding, packaging and labeling as well as production, installation of standards, target market required standards and certification. Firms will have their capacities built through trainings that are relevant to the export market, including market intelligence as well as regional and international exhibitions to expose firms to relevant demand markets.
To further develop the sectors countrywide, the INVITE Project is encouraging sustainable private investment and employment in refugee-hosting communities by facilitating Rural Supply Chains for Refugees and Refugee Host Districts. This entails expansion of existing supply chains or establishment of new supply chains into refugee hosting areas by capable firms that will compete for the funding. A competition will be launched for Lead firms which can show the ability to provide significant job opportunities and business growth in these communities.
The Government of the Republic of Uganda (GoU) received financing from the World Bank for the implementation of the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) project. The Project is complemented and supported by the other development partners including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden through a Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) Grant, and implemented by Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the Bank of Uganda.
