As the African continent continues to emerge as a dynamic frontier for investment, FSD Uganda, in partnership with African Investments, is poised to spotlight Uganda’s brightest entrepreneurial talent at AFSIC – Investing in Africa 2025. A newly curated Deal Book will showcase a strategic pipeline of growth-focused businesses, vetted and investment-ready, across vital sectors such as agribusiness, fintech, healthcare, clean energy, and manufacturing.
This initiative reflects FSD Uganda’s broader mission: to bridge the gap between underserved entrepreneurs and sustainable financing by catalyzing private capital inflows into Uganda’s SME ecosystem.
About FSD Uganda: Catalyzing Inclusive Finance & Enterprise Growth
Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Uganda is a leading nonprofit think-and-do tank working to build a more inclusive financial sector in Uganda. With strong backing from the UK government and development partners, FSD Uganda plays a pivotal role in enabling low-income communities and small businesses to access quality financial services.
As a facilitator of market development, FSDU partners with public institutions, financial service providers, and regulators to:
- Stimulate innovation in financial products and infrastructure
- Shape legal and policy frameworks for inclusive finance
- Build capacity for small businesses, especially MSMEs
Part of a broader network of ten FSDs across Sub-Saharan Africa, FSD Uganda remains at the forefront of financial inclusion on the continent.
Supporting Uganda’s SMEs Through the Deal Flow Facility (DFF)
Recognizing that MSMEs are the backbone of Uganda’s economy, FSD Uganda launched the Deal Flow Facility (DFF)—a specialized initiative matching high-potential businesses with long-term, patient capital.
What the DFF Offers:
- Rigorous assessments to determine investment readiness
- A tailored investment-readiness curriculum
- One-on-one technical assistance from expert intermediaries
- Targeted masterclasses and curated introductions to pre-vetted investors
Since its inception, the DFF has received over 300 applications, with agriculture representing 60% of submissions and fintech and tech-enabled businesses making up another 30%. To date, four companies have secured a total of $6 million USD in capital through this program.
Who Is the DFF Designed For?
FSD Uganda’s Deal Flow Facility targets:
- SMEs: Registered Ugandan companies seeking $500,000 or more in capital and able to provide audited financials.
- Investors: Those interested in deploying debt, equity, or blended finance into East Africa.
- Intermediaries: Business development service providers focused on scaling enterprises.
FSDU also leverages its research insights to identify systemic barriers and recommend policy changes—contributing to a more robust investment environment.
What’s New at AFSIC 2025?
At AFSIC 2025, FSD Uganda will launch its first Uganda Deal Book, curated in collaboration with African Investments. This isn’t a typical startup directory—it’s a strategic, high-quality investment pipeline of vetted businesses ready to absorb and deploy capital for scale and impact.
These enterprises:
- Operate in priority growth sectors
- Are raising significant capital
- Have demonstrated sound business fundamentals, scalability, and impact alignment
Whether you’re a private equity firm, development finance institution, or venture capitalist, the Deal Book offers direct access to Uganda’s emerging investment frontier.
About AFSIC and African Investments
- AFSIC – Investing in Africa is Africa’s leading annual investment forum, connecting capital with opportunity and accelerating sustainable economic growth.
- African Investments Limited powers two award-winning digital platforms:
- African Investments Dashboard – connecting global capital to curated opportunities
- Africa Business Opportunities Dashboard – matching trade and investment leads across sectors and regions
The collaboration between FSD Uganda, African Investments, and AFSIC illustrates the transformative power of targeted capital when aligned with development priorities and investment readiness. For global investors seeking real impact and scalable returns in Africa, Uganda’s next generation of SMEs is ready for partnership.
