The EFS sub-component supports the development of firm capabilities to expand access to export market opportunities and enhance revenue potential through business development services. Financial support is geared towards upgrading organizational and production capacities and capabilities of firms to enable them to cater to the demand of foreign buyers.

The EFS intends to contribute to increasing the value of sales by exporters to export markets, selling greater product quantities, and/or selling higher quality value-added products to their export markets for premium prices.

Manufacturing and semi-manufacturing exporting firms, legally registered and in existence for at least one year, intending to upscale their products for export.

Eligible firms are categorized into 4 distinct categories termed ‘Buckets’ including:

• Bucket one to be provided practical BDS support for Firms that have not, but have the potential to export facilitated through a Boot Camp.
• Bucket 2 for firms that have some partial export knowledge and could have exported their products in the last 3 years, supported with a financial grant of up to US$2,000.
• Bucket 3 for firms with experience of exporting and would like to expand sales in their export market destinations, supported with a financial grant of up to US$ 7,000
• Bucket 4 firms with experience of exporting and would want to venture into new export destinations by the time of application submission, supported with a financial grant of up to US$ 10,000

The EFS support follows “a call for applications cycle” with at least 4 (four) cycles foreseen during the project lifespan. The EFS provides a reimbursement of up to 80 percent of the firm’s cost of services intended to pay for local export consultants or certification and other forms of technical assistance to implement the export development plan.

The following activities qualify for funding:

• Export market identification and segmentation
• Product design and adaptation
• Product branding, packaging, and labelling
• Installation of standards
• Target market required standards and certifications.
• Relevant training including market intelligence to target export market.
• Regional and international exhibition/shows.

Phase 1 is the Call for Proposals stage covering three months and which involves sensitisation of potential applicants.

Phase 2 consists of the selection stage one month from the submission of applications.

Phase 3 is the final and implementation stage with six (6) months of participating firms carrying out their activities before submission of reimbursement requirements.

Only vetted consultants with pre-qualified profiles on the portal will be available for businesses to access.

To qualify for financing a business must be in operation for at least 12 months prior to applying for EFS support.

The firm must have not less than 2 employees and up to at least 250 employees and must pledge to maintain employment levels observed at the time of application.

A business should have an annual turnover of between UGX 10 million and UGX 15 billion to qualify for financing under the EFS.

The EFS will support businesses from all over the country.

Eligible enterprises formation registration e.g. certificate of registration, trading licence, audited accounts, business plan, etc. for funding under the EFS Sub-component.

Enterprises can be supported up to 4 times during the project duration.

The process of evaluating firms may take up to three months before approval.

This depends on the activity but may take between 6 – 10 months including implementation and reimbursement.

The EFS can provide up to a maximum cumulative grant of US$40,000 in the course of the project life time and based on the classified Bucket.

The EFS sub component has a remaining duration of two years.

Only online applications are accepted and processed for funding.

The Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Plot 43, Nakasero Hill Road, Kampala – Uganda.

Any grievances under the project can be reported through the PSFU and INVITE Trust Project Implementation Units (PIU) supported by their E&S teams. 

The INVITE Project adheres to the principle of Inclusive and Non-discrimination, and maintains a productive work environment that is free from discrimination, exclusion, or harassment of any sort. For any case, please report to this number: 0800 333 125

To report a grievance or complaint concerning the INVITE Project, please contact us on the Tollfree line: 0800 200 339

a) Visit invite.go.ug

b) Scroll to the Export Firm Support section under Apply for Funding at the top right of the home page and register to Create an Account as a New Firm User.

c) Register and log in as a Registered User

d) Fill in the Application Form

e) Attach your relevant business documents as follows: –

• Certificate of incorporation/Registration
• Trading Licence
• Exporting Licence
• Memorandum and Article of Association (Front and Shareholder pages)
• Business Plan/Proposal
• E and S Documents (If Applicable)