Museveni Invites Global Investors to Uganda’s $500bn Economy During International Buyers’ Week

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on international investors and buyers to seize the growing opportunities in Uganda, saying the country is on a clear path toward rapid economic transformation driven by value addition, industrialisation and expanded export capacity.

The message was delivered by Vice President Jessica Alupo at the opening of the Uganda Connect International Buyers’ Week, an event bringing together trade delegations from Nigeria, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Serbia, China, Ethiopia and the United States, alongside international importers, exporters, and business partners.

Welcoming delegates to what he described as “the Pearl of Africa,” President Museveni said the meeting is designed to turn investment interest into concrete orders and long-term commercial partnerships that will create jobs and incomes for Ugandans.

Vice President Jessica Alupo delivered President Museveni’s message  

Museveni highlighted Uganda’s strategic advantage as a regional gateway to East and Central Africa, backed by a young educated workforce, year-round agricultural potential, improved infrastructure, and sustained peace and stability.

“Uganda has always had an abundant supply of land and labour. What we need now is capital, entrepreneurship and knowledge to transform this potential into wealth,” he said, noting that Africa’s GDP remains far below its potential due to low purchasing power.

He argued that raising incomes across the continent would unlock a far greater market:
“If Africa’s GDP per capita reached USD 20,000 to USD 25,000, with our population of 1.5 billion, we would be talking about a USD 30 to 45 trillion economy.”

Museveni said the NRM government aims to grow Uganda’s GDP from USD 61 billion to USD 500 billion “in the shortest possible time,” through policies that prioritise peace, infrastructure development and private-sector-led growth.

The President pointed to strong export performance in the first half of 2025, with Uganda earning USD 5.23 billion, driven by coffee, dairy, gold and avocado. Coffee exports continue to surge, while the dairy sector reached 5.4 billion litres of milk production by the end of 2024, opening new markets in Algeria and Nigeria.

“These numbers underscore the need for diversification, value addition and climbing the value chain,” he said, praising the Presidential Exports Advisory Team for opening trade opportunities and building Uganda’s brand in foreign markets.

Museveni reiterated that Uganda has halted the export of raw materials and is instead investing in processing and industrial hubs. He invited international partners to invest in processing plants, cold-chain systems, packaging facilities and other export infrastructure.

A major upcoming boost is the Entebbe Free Zone Centre of Excellence, which will use AI-enhanced inspections, digital traceability and shared infrastructure to streamline fresh produce exports while offering training and certification to exporters.

Uganda is also expanding its trade representation in key foreign markets to strengthen buyer-seller linkages and logistics.

The President urged global buyers to source products from Ugandan suppliers and encouraged local exporters to continuously meet international standards to remain competitive.

“Uganda is open for partnerships,” he added, thanking participants for choosing to engage with Uganda’s market during the Buyers’ Week.