The OVO inspiration tour to Uganda: learning through enterpreneuship

The Inspiration Tour highlights the experiences of entrepreneurs who are already creating economic and social value in Uganda. Their stories demonstrate how businesses can grow by identifying real problems, developing practical solutions and responding to the needs of their customers.

• MADCO Investments: Innovation in Agriculture: Martha Namabiro and her business partner Daniel are developing MADCO Investments, an agribusiness that supports Ugandan farmers through agricultural consultancy, machinery rental and animal feed ingredients. Rather than simply supplying agricultural machinery, the company also helps farmers improve their operations and use equipment more effectively. In 2025, MADCO achieved annual sales growth of nearly 78%, demonstrating its potential for further development. The company illustrates how understanding local needs can create business opportunities, improve agricultural productivity and strengthen the local economy.

• My Guardian: Technology and Social Impact: Dr Charles Maina founded My Guardian to support East African migrant workers, particularly those working in the Middle East. The company uses a Track, Trace and Rescue approach to help workers remain connected and receive assistance when they face difficulties. With coaching and social-impact financing from OVO, the business has developed its activities and explored additional opportunities to support migrant workers.
• GuardianPay: Improving Financial Inclusion: Building on My Guardian's work, Charles is developing GuardianPay, a financial-services initiative that aims to make international money transfers more affordable and transparent. The goal is to help migrant workers ensure that more of their earnings reach their families. This example demonstrates how an entrepreneur can expand a business by identifying related challenges and developing additional services that create both economic and social value.

• OVO promotes a different perspective on cooperation between Europe and Africa. Traditional international cooperation often focuses on providing financial support, expertise, technology and training. Although these contributions remain important, OVO believes that stronger relationships can develop when African and European businesses work together as equal economic partners.
• African entrepreneurs are developing businesses, creating jobs and introducing solutions to challenges in agriculture, technology, finance and other sectors. The tour encourages European participants to recognise these businesses as potential partners for investment and commercial.

• OVO encourages entrepreneurs to move from the question of what Europe can bring to Africa towards what both sides can create together. This approach recognises that African entrepreneurs have valuable knowledge of their customers, markets and local business environments, while European businesses can contribute complementary expertise, networks and investment opportunities.
• Stronger partnerships can help businesses expand, improve productivity, create employment and reach new customers. By combining different experiences and capabilities, Belgian and Ugandan entrepreneurs can develop opportunities that benefit both economies and support sustainable development.

• Access to international markets remains a challenge for many African businesses. Even when entrepreneurs have high-quality products, they may struggle to find reliable buyers, establish distribution channels, manage logistics or build international business relationships. The Inspiration Tour aims to encourage discussions about how these barriers can be addressed through stronger commercial connections.
• Through Carledorian Connection, Charles Maina is exploring opportunities to connect African products, including Ugandan coffee, with customers in Europe and other international markets. This demonstrates the importance of building trusted relationships between producers, distributors and buyers.

• European and African companies can work together to identify potential customers, improve distribution and establish more reliable trade connections. Stronger business networks can help African entrepreneurs reach new markets and expand their commercial activities.
• By connecting entrepreneurs from different countries and sectors, OVO aims to encourage investment, commercial partnerships and knowledge exchange. These relationships can help businesses develop beyond their domestic markets and contribute to stronger economic links between Africa and Europe.

• OVO plays an important role in supporting African entrepreneurs through personalised coaching, access to finance and connections with experienced business professionals. Its approach focuses on understanding the entrepreneur's needs, strengthening business models and helping companies prepare for sustainable growth.
• African entrepreneurs receive guidance from local coaches alongside experienced Belgian and international professionals. Coaches help them review financial models, improve business plans, identify challenges and explore practical solutions for growth.

• OVO helps entrepreneurs prepare for investment opportunities and connects them with potential investors and business partners. This support is particularly important for businesses that need more financing than traditional microfinance services can provide.
• OVO acts as a bridge between African and European business communities. By bringing entrepreneurs together, the organisation creates opportunities to exchange knowledge, establish trust and develop lasting partnerships that can support business growth in both regions.

The Inspiration Tour is planned for November 2026 and will bring together a delegation of Belgian entrepreneurs, provincial governor Jan Spooren and OVO representatives for direct engagement with Ugandan businesses. Rather than being a traditional study trip, the visit focuses on understanding entrepreneurship through real business experiences and identifying opportunities for cooperation.

• Destination and Timing: Uganda, November 2026.
• Participants: A delegation of Belgian entrepreneurs and provincial governor Jan Spooren, together with OVO representatives.

• Main Activities: Company visits, meetings with Ugandan entrepreneurs and discussions about agriculture, technology, construction, circular economy, sustainability, financing and business growth.
• Learning Opportunities: Participants will discover how local businesses operate, address challenges, develop new products and services, and identify opportunities for expansion.
• Expected Outcomes: Stronger business connections, knowledge exchange, potential investments, new commercial partnerships and opportunities for long-term economic cooperation between Belgian and Ugandan companies.