The Graca Machel Trust (GMT) successfully finalized its Africa Fire Starter Workshop

The Graca Machel Trust (GMT) successfully finalized its Africa Fire Starter Workshop, themed "Actioning Sales and Marketing Strategies to Achieve Business Growth for SMEs." Held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, the event aimed at equipping women entrepreneurs with essential skills to drive business growth through effective sales and marketing strategies.

Dr. Theopista Sekitto, the Country Representative of GMT, highlighted the importance of creativity in product development during her opening speech. She remarked, "Women must innovate and differentiate their products to stand out in the competitive market. Creativity is key to capturing and retaining customer interest."

Empowering women in business is crucial for economic growth and development. According to the World Economic Forum, closing the gender gap could add $28 trillion to global GDP by 2025. In Uganda, women represent 54% of the labor force but face significant barriers in accessing capital, markets, and business networks. SMEs, the backbone of the Ugandan economy, particularly benefit from targeted support in sales and marketing to achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness.

The workshop brought together women entrepreneurs from various sectors, providing them with practical training and insights into effective sales and marketing strategies. Warda Katende, Coordinator for Afrishela and Women Creating Wealth (WCW), underscored the critical role of marketing in business growth. "Effective marketing is the lifeline of any business. It drives sales, builds brand loyalty, and opens new market opportunities," she stated.

Yvonne Mpaga, a renowned business development consultant, guided the 35 women and 1 man participant through actionable marketing strategies. She emphasized, "It's often assumed that when an entrepreneur has a vision and a product or service, the market will come automatically. However, Graca Machel Trust and Women Creating Wealth (WCW) have realized that marketing and sales strategies must be integral parts of business plans for MSMEs to grow into MSEs and eventually go global."

The Graca Machel Trust is a Pan-African organization committed to uplifting women and children through advocacy, capacity building, and fostering partnerships. GMT's Country Chapters in Uganda form a Consortium of Women in Finance (New Faces New Voices - NFNV), Women in Media (WIM), African Women in Agriculture Network (AWAN), and the Network of African Business Women Uganda Chapter (NABW-U).

The GMT Africa Fire Starter Workshop is a testament to the Graca Machel Trust's ongoing commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs. By focusing on sales and marketing strategies, the workshop provided participants with the tools needed to enhance their business operations and achieve sustainable growth. GMT remains dedicated to fostering an environment where women in business can thrive, innovate, and lead.