Blanche Ashaba
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Ashaba Blanche and her business partner Gladys Kimera have built a thriving export enterprise by turning adversity into opportunity, proving the power of resilience and strategic financing.
The co-founders of Concinnity Company Limited began their journey in 2014 with just Shs500,000 and a bold dream. Operating from home with rented storage space, their first breakthrough came with a single shipment of dried fish to Canada.
However, their progress was abruptly halted when a government ban on fish exports threatened to drive the business into bankruptcy.
“We asked ourselves what else Uganda produces that the world wants,” recalls Kimera.
Their answer lay in agriculture. The duo pivoted to exporting fresh produce including matooke, jackfruit, and garden eggs, sourced from 11 suppliers across Uganda. Today, they employ 13 staff to meet growing demand.
Despite the promising shift, access to affordable financing remained a challenge. A previous loan with interest rates above 20 percent had nearly crippled their operations, making them wary of borrowing again.
Their turning point came after attending a Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) workshop, where they learned about the GROW Loan offered through Pearl Bank at a significantly lower interest rate of 9.7 percent.
Taking a calculated risk, they secured the loan using a family land title and guarantors. The funds enabled them to open five stalls in Canada, eliminating middlemen and allowing them to directly control their market.
“That move changed our entire business model,” says Ashaba.
The impact has extended beyond their business, improving livelihoods among their suppliers. Today, the duo continues to champion women’s participation in agribusiness, urging others to explore export opportunities as a pathway to growth and financial independence.
