Ambassadors

Hadijah Nankanja is the founder and executive director of Community Women Enterprise Network Uganda Limited (CWEN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs across Uganda. Established in 2012, CWEN provides business resources, technical support, and guidance to help women reach broader markets, increase revenues, and promote their businesses with greater focus and clarity.  

With over a decade of experience in community development, Hadijah has worked on various initiatives, including microfinance, health insurance, social research, and social impact measurement. Prior to founding CWEN, she served as Head of Operations at Business Garden, a business incubator aimed at revitalizing the Kamwokya slum neighborhood in Kampala.  

Hadijah holds a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship and small business management from Makerere University Business School. She is also a co-owner of several business ventures, including Nakoha Natural Products Limited, Books & More, and Interest for Change. Her commitment to community service is evident through her roles as a volunteer board member at Trade and Impact for Women-led Enterprises and as board secretary of Tusome Children’s Resource Centre.  

Under her leadership, CWEN has implemented practical programs such as providing women with processing spaces to transform agricultural produce into value-added products, facilitating access to affordable packaging, and establishing retail spaces for product promotion. These initiatives aim to reinforce the capacity of high-potential, low-income entrepreneurs to become more productive and gain larger market shares in local and regional markets.  

Hadijah's dedication to women's economic empowerment has been recognized through her selection as a 2023 Fellow in the VV Visionaries program by Vital Voices.