NCBA Bank, MAT Abacus partner to boost SME growth

NCBA Bank Uganda has signed a strategic partnership with MAT Abacus Business School to strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through structured training, coaching and mentorship under its Enterprise Development Programme.

The initiative is aimed at moving SMEs beyond access to finance, by equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills to build sustainable, well-governed and scalable businesses.

Under the programme, NCBA SME customers will access free business development support, with MAT Abacus providing training and mentorship in financial management, governance, compliance, business strategy and growth readiness.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at NCBA Bank headquarters in Kampala, Chief Executive Officer Mark Muyobo said SMEs remain the backbone of Uganda’s economy but continue to face structural challenges that go beyond financing.

“SMEs are the backbone of Uganda’s economy. They create jobs, drive innovation and contribute significantly to national growth,” Muyobo said. “However, many businesses still struggle with access to finance, business skills and governance gaps. Through this partnership, we are combining financial solutions with capacity building to support long-term business growth.”

He added that the bank’s ambition is not only to grow SME lending but also to strengthen enterprise resilience and sustainability.

“At NCBA, we are positioning ourselves as a true growth partner for SMEs. Our goal is to see businesses not only access financing, but also build the systems and capacity needed for long-term success,” he said.

The Enterprise Development Programme forms part of NCBA Bank’s SME Customer Value Proposition, which includes faster credit approvals, flexible financing options, unsecured lending and business advisory services.

MAT Abacus Business School welcomed the partnership, saying it will bridge a key gap in entrepreneurial skills development among SMEs.

MAT Abacus CEO Prof. Samuel Sejjaaka said the collaboration will help businesses scale and contribute to national development priorities.

“We are delighted to partner with NCBA Bank to provide structured business training and coaching for SMEs to help them scale and realise their growth potential,” Sejjaaka said. “This will also support the government’s 10X Growth Strategy in line with the National Development Plan.”

Under the programme, SMEs will benefit from practical learning sessions, coaching clinics and tailored advisory support designed to address real business challenges.

The partnership underscores NCBA Bank’s growing focus on combining financing with skills development as banks increasingly shift towards holistic support for enterprise growth.

NCBA Bank said the initiative will help more SMEs formalise, grow and contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.