From Shs70,000 to a thriving enterprise: Benah Nambi’s journey with FINCA Uganda

From Shs70,000 to a thriving enterprise: Benah Nambi’s journey with FINCA Uganda

After starting with a Shs70,000 loan nearly three decades ago, Benah Nambi has built a successful enterprise while supporting her family and mentoring women in her community.

In 2015, Benah Nambi found herself facing one of the most difficult periods of her life. Her husband had died after a prolonged illness, leaving the family with depleted finances, an empty shop and several dependants to support.

Much of the family’s money had been spent trying to save his life. At the time, Nambi’s eldest son was pursuing university studies, while her second child was preparing to join higher education.

With no reliable income and school fees to meet, the future of her children appeared uncertain.

“The shop was empty because we spent everything trying to save his life,” Nambi recalls. “I looked at my children and asked myself where I would even begin. Their father was gone, meals were hard to guarantee, and their future was hanging by a thread.”

The difficult moment, however, was not the beginning of Nambi’s financial journey.

Nearly two decades earlier, she had taken her first steps towards economic independence with a Shs70,000 loan.

Before becoming a businesswoman, Nambi was a housewife who depended largely on her husband. She had no formal education and spent most of her time taking care of the home and working in her husband’s garden.

Her fortunes began to change in 1998 when she attended financial literacy training organised by FINCA Uganda.

The training introduced her to saving and borrowing as tools that could help her establish an income-generating activity.

Nambi later borrowed Shs70,000 and invested the money in rearing broiler chickens at her home.

She sold the chickens, repaid the loan and reinvested the profits. As the business grew, she took on larger loan cycles and expanded into other activities, eventually establishing Nyange Farm Supply in Lugazi town.

By the time tragedy struck in 2015, Nambi had built a relationship with FINCA Uganda spanning more than a decade.

Instead of abandoning her business, she returned to the institution for financial support.

Her repayment history gave the lender confidence to consider her request for additional financing, which she used to replenish her depleted shop.

“They knew my history and knew I was a woman of my word,” Nambi says. “They approved a new loan to restock my empty shop.”

The fresh financing helped Nambi rebuild her business and restore an income for the household.

She says the proceeds have since enabled her to meet the education expenses of her children while supporting other family members under her care.

Nambi pays Shs1.4 million in tuition and Shs750,000 in hostel fees every semester. She has also continued paying school fees for orphaned nieces and nephews.

Moses Ogwal, a Business Development Manager at FINCA Uganda, says Nambi’s experience demonstrates how access to finance, combined with discipline, can help women overcome economic setbacks and build sustainable businesses.

“Benah Nambi’s story is a powerful testament to what happens when you invest in a woman’s grit. When she lost her husband in 2015, her consistent repayment record enabled FINCA Uganda to assess and support her request for additional financing. For 28 years, she has proved that microfinance is about giving a mother the tools to rewrite her family’s destiny,” Ogwal said.

Today, Nambi’s enterprise generates an average net profit of Shs12 million.

Her business journey has also allowed her to support other women in her community.

She has mentored more than 30 women, encouraging them to pursue businesses and reduce their dependence on others.

Looking back at the journey that started with Shs70,000, Nambi says people should not be afraid of beginning with limited capital.

She encourages prospective borrowers to understand loan conditions and ensure borrowed money is invested in productive activities.

“Fear holds back so many people from approaching financial institutions,” Nambi reflects with a gentle smile.

“Many people fear taking loans, but you should never fear starting small. I began this journey with just 70,000 shillings, and through discipline and finding a financial partner that walks with you, I scaled that small beginning into an enterprise generating Shs12 million in average net profit."

She urged entrepreneurs to start small, understand the loan terms, borrow within your means and use the funds for a clear productive purpose.