Covid – 19 Market Diagnostics and Options for Long-Term Recovery (Supply – Side Report)

Covid – 19 Market Diagnostics and Options for Long-Term Recovery (Supply – Side Report)

    Download Report

    The overall objective of the study was to develop practical solutions for preserving and building relevant elements of the financial system to support the survival, recovery, and growth of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Uganda. The core of the market analysis was to understand how the supply of finance to the MSE sector in Uganda had been affected by the COVID-19 crisis and what options were available to build on ready measures to mitigate the impact. This analysis identified both threats and opportunities for inclusive finance service providers (IFSPs) to meet the financing needs of MSEs.

    With the support of the Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda (AMFIU) and with some direct provision of information by IFSPs, the study team had detailed operational and financial information on 30 SACCOs and 11 MFIs. Due to confidentiality/nondisclosure policies, AMFIU provided anonymous data, stating only the region in which the entity operates and its institutional form.

    Share:

    Covid – 19 Market Diagnostics and Options for Long-Term Recovery (Demand- Side Report)

    Covid – 19 Market Diagnostics and Options for Long-Term Recovery (Demand- Side Report)

      Download Report

      The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on the Ugandan economy especially hitting the micro- and small enterprises (MSEs) in the informal sector. MSEs have been facing unprecedented income losses and uncertainties about their future because of business disruptions due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

      FSD Uganda commissioned a demand side market diagnostic study to assess the impact of COVID-19 on micro and small enterprises in Uganda. The overall objective was to develop practical solutions to preserve and build relevant elements of the financial system to support the survival, recovery and growth of micro and small enterprises in Uganda.

      From the research, only 3% MSEs reported to be completely recovered. 71% of the surveyed MSEs are yet to return to normal pre-COVID-19 operations timing. Several factors such as reduced hours of operation, disruptions in movement, and general low customer turnout have impacted the businesses severely.
      MSE owners hope to bounce back, however, some issues continue to plague the recovery of enterprises. These include, on an average 50% of reduction in household income due to low revenue from the business, job losses in the family, or depletion of other income sources hit by the pandemic.

      Women-led enterprises have suffered a greater average loss in income (50%) compared to men-owned MSEs (33%) from the pre-pandemic level of income. Also, while MSEs in urban areas have been able to attain 57% of the pre-pandemic income level, MSEs in rural areas have recovered up to 50% of the pre-pandemic income level.

      As per the estimates of the World Bank, the COVID-19 crisis has pushed around 2.6 million Ugandans into poverty. With longest closure of schools in Uganda, not only the education sector but many other businesses providing services in the ecosystem suffer a great deal in their bid to recovery to pre-pandemic level.

      Share:

      The Overall Impact of COVID on The Economy; An Agile Scenario Analysis

      The Overall Impact of COVID on The Economy; An Agile Scenario Analysis

        Download Report

        This agile scenario analysis conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and The Bank of Uganda explored the potential short and mid-term economic effects the pandemic would have on the key labour segments. Using additional insights from ongoing economic recovery efforts, the team also identified the potential role various sectors could play in strengthening the inclusiveness of the country’s recovery efforts.

        Share:

        The Impact of COVID on Agriculture in Uganda

        The Impact of COVID on Agriculture in Uganda

          Download Report

          Earlier studies conducted by FSD Uganda indicate that specific segments of the population – including people who directly or indirectly rely on farming – will be severely affected by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a rapid diagnostic to understand how agricultural finance in Uganda has been affected, to inform financial market-led recovery efforts. Findings from the study have been used to strengthen FSD Uganda’s new five-year agricultural portfolio.

          Share:

          Assessing the Economic Resilience of Ugandan Households During COVID

          Assessing the Economic Resilience of Ugandan Households During COVID

            Download Report

            This phone-based survey conducted between April 2020 to September 2020 over five waves provides a detailed analysis on the resilience of the sample surveyed. It demonstrated:

            Share:

            Highlights: Impact of COVID-19 on the economic resilience and financial behaviour of Ugandans

            Highlights: Impact of COVID-19 on the economic resilience and financial behaviour of Ugandans

              Download Report

              FSD Uganda partnered with the Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development and undertook a COVID-19 tracker survey which traced the impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods, financial behavior, and social responses of Ugandans. The phone-based survey was conducted in 5 waves between April and September 2020.

              Similar surveys were conducted by the FSD Network in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, and Ghana. The COVID-19 Tracker explored composite data sets from across the continent.

              This highlights document is based on an analysis of data from the five waves of the tracker survey and presents insights on how the pandemic continues to affect Ugandan adults across several domains.

              Share:

              Unlocking the Potential of Uganda’s Housing Value Chain Through Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration

              Unlocking the Potential of Uganda’s Housing Value Chain Through Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration

                Download Presentation

                By Jimmy Ebong and Maria Nkhonjera
                Uganda’s Financial Sector Development Strategy (FSDS) estimates the country’s housing deficit to be 1.6 million units, with an annual requirement between 180,000 and 210,000 units. Given rapid rates of population growth and urbanisation, a widening housing need may overwhelm cities in the near future. Uganda has the third highest population growth rate in Africa (at 3.6%), while the country’s urbanisation rate is projected to be 5.6% per annum. Urban households are expected to grow to 3.8 million in 2025, from 2.9 million in 2020 – a 31% increase. Uganda’s urban areas are therefore poised for a rapid increase in households, implying a huge demand for adequate, affordable housing. Only 44% of the urban population own their dwellings[1], while the 2018 FinScope Survey indicates 19% of adults aspire to acquire a house.

                Share:

                Cooperatives as Engines of Transformation

                Cooperatives as Engines of Transformation

                By Anthea Paelo

                Cooperatives continue to be an important engine for economic productivity and growth in countries like Uganda. They play a critical role in mobilizing savings, increasing access to credit, and facilitate various activities along production value chains, including procurement, storage and distribution. Where, for example, a farmer might find it challenging to access a tractor to plough his fields, or credit to purchase seeds, as a part of a cooperative he can access these inputs more readily and at much better terms. It is perhaps for this reason that as of January 2020, agricultural cooperatives numbered over 9,000, double the number just twelve years ago1.

                Share:

                Determinants of Interest Rate Spreads in the Ugandan Banking System

                Determinants of Interest Rate Spreads in the Ugandan Banking System

                  Download Presentation

                  FSD Uganda Executive Director made a presentation as a discussant at the Bank of Uganda (BoU) and International Growth Centre (IGC) Policy Seminar on lending rates. Download the presentation to find out about why we should care about bank interest rate spreads and how it affects every day Ugandans and Ugandan businesses.

                  Share:

                  Market Research on Unsecured Lending for MSMEs

                  Market Research on Unsecured Lending for MSMEs

                    Download Report

                    Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) (including smallholder farmers) struggle to access formal credit due to a lack of collateral and poor record keeping preventing them from making productive investments.

                    FSD Uganda works to build inclusive credit market infrastructure to address the retail and business credit gap. FSD Uganda commissioned a study about unsecured lending to MSMEs in high density markets in Kampala, aimed at understanding the demand and supply challenges in accessing working capital. Examples of high-density markets include: Owino, Nakawa and Kalerwe markets.

                    Share:

                    Strengthening the effectiveness of Uganda’s consumer protection framework

                    Strengthening the effectiveness of Uganda’s consumer protection framework

                      Download Publication

                      An assessment of credit cost disclosures
                      There is a need to promote trust in the financial sector by putting robust consumer protection measures in place – this will help protect lower-income borrowers from poor market conduct and bridge the credit gap in the market.

                      Share:

                      Message from FSD Uganda Executive Director on COVID-19

                      Message from FSD Uganda Executive Director on COVID-19

                      Uganda confirmed its first case of COVID-19 this weekend. The Government of Uganda, together with private sector actors, continue to demonstrate great leadership by putting in place and adopting progressive measures aimed at protecting Ugandans and limiting the impact of the pandemic.

                      Share:

                      Guest blog – Harnessing the power of data to create relevant products and services for consumers

                      Guest blog – Harnessing the power of data to create relevant products and services for consumers

                      The 2019 Financial Inclusion Week themed Financial Inclusion: For What? Is being recognized globally between October 21 and October 25. The Financial Inclusion Week (FIW) is aimed at getting stakeholders to revisit their fundamental purpose and renew efforts to achieve financial inclusion. FSD Uganda will share a series of reflections from our technical experts and stakeholders. Today, we hear from the Uganda Communication Commission about opportunities that exist to protect and empower consumers through information…

                      Share:

                      Mapping Regulatory Behavioral Biases to Innovation in Financial Services

                      Mapping Regulatory Behavioral Biases to Innovation in Financial Services

                      By Joseph Lutwama and Kim Kariuki

                      Technology advancements in the last two decades have resulted in a chain reaction of innovations in financial services never experienced in this generation. Whereas previously financial services would only be accessed in big, tall and intimidating bank branches, now a financial transaction can be completed in just under a minute without stepping into a bank branch or even talking to a banking relationship manager across the counter.

                      Share:

                      Report on Banking and the Status of Financial Inclusion in Uganda

                      Report on Banking and the Status of Financial Inclusion in Uganda

                        Download Report

                        This report aims to give an overview of the Ugandan banking sector and the potential opportunities that exist to increase the banked population. The information generated by the FinScope Uganda survey, conducted in 2018, provides the basis for this report’s analysis.

                        Information presented in all tables and figures are obtained from analysis of FinScope 2018 dataset.

                        Share:

                        Our Donors & Partners

                        Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation logo
                        European Union Logo
                        Report a concern anonymously

                        FRAUD AND ETHICS HOTLINE

                        Subscribe to our PUBLICATIONS

                        OUR CONTACTS

                        ADDRESS:
                        Plot 7A, John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue, Kololo
                        P.O. Box 608 Kampala, Uganda
                        TEL: +256 393 231260/2

                        © Copyright FSD Uganda 2015 – 2022. All Rights Reserved.