FSD UgandaHow Uganda’s Micro And Small Enterprises Are Recovering And Growing Post-Covid-19
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, 67 percent of Uganda’s micro and small enterprises were forced into complete closure. A year later, after the start of the pandemic, revenues and profits were still down by 19 percent and 36 percent, respectively.
To address this challenge, the Micro and Small Enterprise Recovery Fund, was launched by FSD Uganda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Implemented by a consortium, the Fund designed to keep Uganda’s most vulnerable businesses afloat targeted women, youth, refugees, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). The Recovery Fund provided accessible credit, flexible repayment terms, and tailored financial services to help businesses survive and adapt.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the results are remarkable: 98 percent of MSEs supported under the Recovery Fund remain operational. The Recovery Fund has reached more than 107,000 enterprises, 71 percent of which are women-led and 45 percent youth-led, proving that inclusive finance can drive recovery and growth.
