Kampala — Equity Bank Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Uganda’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through its continued partnership with KPMG and Nation Media Group in the launch of the 2026 Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey.
The survey, launched at KPMG headquarters in Kampala, marks its 19th edition and remains one of Uganda’s most influential private-sector development platforms aimed at improving business performance, governance, and access to finance among SMEs.
This year’s survey runs under the theme “Monetizing Uganda’s Economy through Innovation, Value Addition and Market Expansion.” It seeks to help businesses translate Uganda’s economic growth outlook into tangible commercial success through improved competitiveness and strategic expansion.
Organisers say the initiative will run from July to October 2026, culminating in an awards gala in December to recognize the best-performing mid-sized companies in the country.
Speaking at the launch, Olivia Mugaba, Head of SME Banking at Equity Bank Uganda, said the survey plays a critical role in helping financial institutions understand the realities facing SMEs.
She noted that while SMEs account for over 90% of Uganda’s private sector, many continue to struggle due to limited access to affordable financing, weak financial management, poor record-keeping, and inadequate business planning.
“The survey gives SMEs a voice. It helps us understand their challenges, identify opportunities and design solutions that directly support their growth,” Mugaba said.
She added that Equity Bank uses insights from the survey to develop tailored financial products, partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives that go beyond lending.
“Funding alone is not enough. We connect businesses to partners, technical support and market opportunities so they can use financing sustainably and grow,” she said.
Through partnerships with government agencies, innovation hubs, and international development institutions, Equity Bank says it is expanding access to affordable capital and business development support for entrepreneurs across multiple sectors.
Susan Nsibirwa, Managing Director of Nation Media Group, said this year’s theme reflects a key concern among businesses: that macroeconomic growth is not always translating into improved business performance.
“The economy may be growing, but businesses are asking where that growth is. This year’s survey seeks to answer that question,” she said.
She added that the programme also provides SMEs with practical learning opportunities through expert-led forums on taxation, governance, financing, and business strategy.
According to Peter Kyambade, a partner at KPMG, this year’s survey focuses on three key drivers of SME growth: innovation, value addition, and market access.
He stressed that businesses embracing innovation and expanding their markets will be better positioned to scale sustainably in an increasingly competitive global economy.
The initiative also received support from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, which emphasized the importance of SMEs within Uganda’s tourism value chain.
Basil Ajer noted that Uganda’s tourism sector continues to grow strongly, with increasing visitor arrivals and rising average tourist spending.
He added that government is working to ease tax burdens on tourism operators and improve access to affordable financing, particularly as Uganda prepares for major events such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Organisers say the Top 100 Survey remains a key tool for generating data that informs investment decisions, policy direction, and enterprise development in Uganda.
For Equity Bank, the partnership reinforces its broader strategy of supporting SMEs not only through financing, but also through knowledge, research, and ecosystem partnerships.
As Uganda advances its industrialization and export agenda, stakeholders believe initiatives like the Top 100 Survey will be critical in helping SMEs convert economic potential into real, measurable growth.
“When SMEs grow, Uganda grows,” Mugaba said.
