Total Number of SMEs in Uganda (Latest Figures)
According to the most recent official and reliable sources (2024–2025):
- Uganda has approximately 1.1 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This figure is widely cited by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the Ministry of Finance, and international organizations such as the World Bank and GSMA.
Breakdown of SMEs in Uganda:
| Category | Approximate Number | Share of Total Private Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Micro Enterprises | ~800,000 – 900,000 | ~80% |
| Small Enterprises | ~150,000 – 200,000 | ~15–18% |
| Medium Enterprises | ~30,000 – 50,000 | ~3–5% |
| Total MSMEs | ~1.1 million | Over 90% of all businesses |
Key Points:
- SMEs (including micro) account for over 90% of the private sector in Uganda.
- They employ over 2.5 million people (about 70–80% of the non-agricultural workforce).
- They contribute approximately 20% to GDP and 80% of manufactured output.
Sources:
- Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and Ministry of Finance reports (2021–2025)
- World Bank MSME Finance Gap Report
- GSMA and FinScope Uganda surveys
Note: Exact numbers vary slightly depending on the definition used (some sources use 1–5 employees for micro, 6–50 for small, 51–100 for medium). The 1.1 million figure is the most commonly accepted national estimate as of 2025.
Would you like a breakdown by sector (e.g., trade, agriculture, services) or by region (Kampala vs upcountry)? Let me know!
