Business 1 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
MARU Credit: SMEs Need Structure, Not Just Capital, to Thrive
MARU Credit highlights that Ugandan SMEs often lack the internal structure to effectively use credit, beyond just limited funding access. Through their incubator program, they emphasize building fundamentals like record-keeping and financial discipline to enable growth. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/we-have-been-cooking-now-it-is-time-to-serve-5410518
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda face more than just a shortage of capital; many are not properly structured to handle and expand with loans, according to MARU Credit.
The company’s managing director, Joshua Mazune, explains that after years of lending and observing SMEs in Kampala, they are now ready to scale up support. High costs of borrowing compound the issue when businesses mix personal and business finances or fail to track cash flow properly.
In their recent MARU Incubator Programme, held with Enterprise Uganda, over 170 entrepreneurs applied, and 80 were selected. These were viable businesses with customers and revenue, yet they struggled with basic systems like record-keeping, tax compliance, and customer management.
Participants saw quick improvements by focusing on these essentials, which lenders view as critical to reduce uncertainty. However, Mazune stresses that lowering capital costs is equally vital, calling for collaboration among financial institutions, development partners, and government.
Uganda must tackle both business structuring and affordable finance to unlock SME potential, with MARU Credit committed to guiding entrepreneurs forward.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)