Women & Youth Business Forums
Economic Empowerment in the Oil Region
Preparing women and youth to seize business opportunities in Uganda's emerging oil sector.
About This Program
ODF aims to promote the engagement of women in business to ensure that they are not left behind in the new-found wealth. With Uganda's current youth bulge, there is need to prepare young people to take up business opportunities in and around oil sector developments because the sector cannot directly employ all the job seeking youths.
Before the discovery of commercial oil and gas reserves in the Albertine region, Bunyoro region was of little significance to the national economy. The region was bedeviled by poor infrastructure and low productivity which made it less attractive to both local and foreign investors.
In the last decade of oil exploration, Bunyoro is the most sought-after investment destination in Uganda. The region has the best road network, and it will soon have the second international airport in Uganda. The oil sector is currently a bee hive of activities as it transitions from exploration to production, coupled with increased population and cross border trade to gain from.
Program Objectives
- Promote engagement of women in business
- Prepare youth for oil sector opportunities
- Provide business skills training
- Connect entrepreneurs to markets and resources
- Foster economic independence
Key Impact
- Women entrepreneurs trained
- Youth prepared for business opportunities
- Local businesses supported