H.E. Majid Saffar, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Uganda, has revealed Iran’s interest in investing in Uganda’s cocoa value chain, with a proposed cocoa processing project in Bundibugyo District aimed at boosting value addition and job creation.
The disclosure was made during a bilateral engagement with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), Hon. Henry Okello Oryem, held as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the long-standing Uganda–Iran relations.
Discussions between the two sides focused on expanding cooperation in key sectors including agriculture, health, education, trade, and investment, with particular emphasis on translating diplomatic relations into tangible economic outcomes.
The proposed cocoa processing facility is expected to support Uganda’s agro-industrialisation agenda by increasing local processing capacity, reducing reliance on raw exports, and improving incomes for farmers in cocoa-growing regions, particularly in western Uganda.
Hon. Okello Oryem welcomed the interest from Iranian companies, noting Uganda’s conducive investment climate, strategic location, and commitment to value addition under its industrial development framework.
He reaffirmed the government’s readiness to facilitate credible investors and partnerships that contribute to inclusive economic growth.
Ambassador Saffar, on his part, pledged Iran’s desire to deepen economic diplomacy with Uganda, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships, knowledge transfer, and technology sharing, especially in agro-processing and manufacturing.
Both sides agreed to sustain engagement through technical teams to explore the viability of the proposed investment and identify additional areas of cooperation, as Uganda and Iran seek to broaden their bilateral partnership beyond traditional diplomacy into development-oriented collaboration.
