PSFU, ITC Onboard Business Development Service Providers onto MSME Financing Gateway
PSFU, ITC Onboard Business Development Service Providers onto MSME Financing Gateway
Tuesday, March 3rd | Kampala, Uganda
Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), held a comprehensive onboarding session for Business Development Service (BDS) providers onto the MSME Financing Gateway, yesterday, Tuesday, March 3rd. The session, taking place at Protea Hotel Naguru Skyz, has attracted more than 40 BDS providers from across the country.
The onboarding initiative is aimed at equipping BDS providers with the knowledge and tools required to effectively utilize the MSME Financing Gateway — a digital platform designed to bridge the financing gap for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda.
During the session, participants are being guided through how the platform operates, the step-by-step registration process, and the range of benefits available to them and the enterprises they support. The Gateway serves as a centralized access point linking MSMEs to financial institutions, tailored financial products, and critical business support services.
The training is being led by PSFU’s Manager for Member Services, Ronny Mulongo, alongside Outreach Manager Florence Mambea. The two officials emphasized the central role BDS providers play in strengthening enterprise capacity and ensuring MSMEs meet the standards required to secure financing.
“This platform is designed to simplify and streamline access to finance for MSMEs,” Mulongo noted. “By onboarding BDS providers, we are strengthening the ecosystem that prepares businesses to become investment-ready and bankable.”
Mulongo also reassured participants about the safety and confidentiality of their information on the platform. He emphasized that robust data protection measures have been integrated into the system to safeguard users’ personal and organizational data. He assured the BDS providers in attendance that their information would be securely stored and only used for its intended purpose within the framework of the Gateway.
“We understand that trust is critical when it comes to digital platforms,” he said. “We want to assure you that your personal data and institutional information are protected, and the system has been designed with strong security protocols to ensure confidentiality and integrity.”
Florence Mambea highlighted the Gateway’s role in improving visibility and coordination among ecosystem players. She explained that the platform not only connects enterprises to financiers but also enables BDS providers to showcase their services, expand their networks, and better support clients seeking capital.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Juliet Musoke, International Coordinator for the EU-MARKUP II programme funded by the European Union, reaffirmed ITC’s commitment to supporting participants beyond the onboarding phase. She assured attendees that the ITC will provide continuous guidance and technical support through the platform.
“Our objective is to ensure that BDS providers are fully empowered to use this Gateway as a tool to unlock financial opportunities for MSMEs,” Musoke said. “Through sustained support under the EU-MARKUP II programme, we aim to position enterprises more strategically to access funding from financial institutions.”
The MSME Financing Gateway forms part of broader efforts to enhance financial inclusion and strengthen Uganda’s private sector competitiveness. By bringing BDS providers onto the platform, PSFU and ITC are reinforcing a collaborative approach to improving enterprise readiness, reducing information asymmetry, and facilitating sustainable access to finance.
The onboarding session marks a significant step toward building a more coordinated and digitally enabled business support ecosystem, with stakeholders optimistic that the initiative will accelerate MSME growth and resilience across Uganda.
