In Bor, South Sudan, the Business for Better Society (BBS) microbusiness incubator is laying the groundwork for economic empowerment, leadership development, and social healing among rural women.
This program is made possible through the support of the Tingari-Silverton Foundation, which champions systems-changing ideas with out-sized impacts, revolutionary organizations and rebellious spirits, and initiatives targeting humanity’s most challenging predicaments. Their commitment aligns closely with BBS’s focus to create long-term, community-driven impact through grassroots interventions.
Launched in partnership with SPEAK Uganda, the Bor incubator builds on lessons from our incubator in Kenya while adapting to the local context. Unlike the Kenyan incubator which has launch over 150 various microbusinesses, this program is rooted in the fishing sector which is a vital part of South Sudan’s economy and a livelihood for over 1.7 million people. By focusing here, the incubator provides women with a pathway to sustainable income and food security in a sector where they have traditionally been excluded.
A Group-Based Approach
The incubator’s design emphasises collaboration. Fifteen women, organized into three groups of five, form the initial cohort. Each group receives dual training financial literacy workshops and the Street Business School program. This combination ensures women gain both entrepreneurial skills and practical knowledge in financial management.
The financial structure is built on a revolving loan model. Each group is allocated USD $1,500 for joint purchasing and sales over a loan cycle. At the end of the cycle, the funds rotate to the next group. This design not only expands the reach of the program but also strengthens participants’ understanding of accountability, loan management, and sustainable business practices.
Accountability is reinforced through sequential handover agreements, weekly reporting, and monthly meetings. Daily sales are tracked via Mobile Money accounts, ensuring transparency and a clear record of progress.
Leadership in Practice
Beyond business training, the incubator fosters leadership. Each group elects a Group Leader, Treasurer, and Secretary. These roles build confidence and accountability, while providing hands-on experience in coordination, record-keeping, and financial management. The result is not only stronger enterprises but also women equipped with transferable leadership skills for future community initiatives.
Collaboration Across Divides
An important dimension of the program is its contribution to social cohesion. Participants were selected from diverse clans, including groups with long-standing histories of conflict. Working side by side in shared enterprises is building trust, mutual support, and new community bonds. The incubator demonstrates how economic empowerment can intersect with peacebuilding to address multiple community needs at once.
Looking Ahead
As the program progresses, its impact will extend far beyond the groups businesses. By equipping women with the tools to launch and sustain enterprises, the incubator directly addresses the root causes of generational poverty. Entrepreneurship creates income stability, strengthens families, and builds resilience within communities. Over time, this ripple effect can transform cycles of dependency into cycles of opportunity and lay a foundation for lasting change in Bor and beyond.
