Uganda Launches 19th Annual Top 100 Mid Sized Companies Survey to Recognize High Growth SMEs

Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with the launch of the 19th Annual Top 100 Mid Sized Companies Survey, an initiative designed to recognize high performing businesses while providing practical support for sustainable growth and expansion.

The survey was officially launched on June 25, 2026, at the KPMG headquarters in Kampala by Nation Media Group (NMG), KPMG Uganda, and Equity Bank Uganda under the theme “Monetizing Uganda’s Economy through Innovation, Value Addition and Market Expansion.” Organizers said the initiative aims to help SMEs convert Uganda’s positive economic outlook into measurable business success by encouraging innovation, stronger governance, and greater competitiveness.

Now in its nineteenth year, the Top 100 Mid Sized Companies Survey has evolved into one of Uganda’s most respected private sector development programs. Unlike traditional business awards that simply recognize successful companies, the survey combines research, benchmarking, executive education, networking opportunities, and performance analysis to help participating businesses improve operations and prepare for long-term expansion.

According to the organizers, more than 2,400 SMEs across Uganda and the wider East African region have participated in the initiative since its inception. Many of those businesses have gone on to expand operations, improve corporate governance, attract financing, enter new markets, and graduate into larger enterprise categories. The survey has become an important source of business intelligence for policymakers, financial institutions, investors, and entrepreneurs seeking to understand the evolving SME landscape.

This year’s theme places particular emphasis on three strategic pillars: innovation, value addition, and market expansion. Organizers believe that while Uganda’s economy continues to grow, many businesses have yet to fully capitalize on emerging opportunities. The program is intended to help entrepreneurs identify new revenue streams, strengthen operational efficiency, and build more resilient businesses capable of competing both locally and internationally.

Speaking during the launch, representatives from Equity Bank Uganda emphasized that SMEs remain the backbone of Uganda’s private sector, accounting for more than 90 percent of private businesses. Despite their importance, many continue to struggle with limited access to affordable finance, weak financial management systems, inadequate record keeping, and insufficient long term business planning. The survey provides valuable insights that help financial institutions better understand these challenges and develop products and services tailored to the needs of growing enterprises.

For Uganda’s entrepreneurs, expanding into regional and international markets is becoming increasingly important. The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues creating opportunities for businesses to access larger consumer markets across Africa. Companies that strengthen governance, improve operational standards, and invest in product development are expected to benefit most from increased regional trade.

As African governments continue prioritizing industrialization, exports, and value addition, initiatives that strengthen SME capacity are likely to become increasingly important. For entrepreneurs across the continent, Uganda’s latest survey serves as a reminder that sustainable growth is built not only through access to capital but also through continuous learning, innovation, strategic planning, and a willingness to adapt to changing market conditions.