The Uganda High Commission in Dar es Salaam, in collaboration with the Government of Malawi, has successfully concluded the first day of the Second Uganda–Malawi Business Forum and Exhibition at the President Hotel in Umodzi Park, Lilongwe. The forum, which runs until 22 November 2025, is held under the theme “Exploring and tapping into the rich opportunities for deeper collaboration.”
The event marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic ties, with both countries seeking to identify fresh opportunities for mutual growth, expand regional market access, and boost cross-border trade and investment.
Uganda Highlights Regional Advantage, Strong Growth Prospects
Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.E. Col. (Rtd.) Fred Mwesigye, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania and accredited to Malawi, emphasized the importance of the forum in raising awareness of Uganda’s vast opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and technology.
He noted that the forum aims to stimulate trade by identifying potential areas for partnerships and joint ventures:
“By fostering a deeper understanding of each other’s markets, we can pave the way for increased trade and investment,” he said.
Amb. Mwesigye underscored Uganda’s steady economic trajectory under President Yoweri Museveni, highlighting that GDP growth has averaged 5–6%, with projections pointing to even faster expansion driven by oil and gas, agro-industrialization, ICT innovation, tourism recovery and energy investments.
He further pointed out Uganda’s strategic geographic position as a gateway to over 700 million consumers through the EAC, COMESA, and AfCFTA frameworks.
“For investors, this means duty-free and quota-free access to regional markets, reduced tariffs, harmonized standards, and a growing consumer base,” he said.
New Malawi–Uganda Flights to Boost Business Connectivity
Amb. Mwesigye also revealed that discussions held on 20 November 2025 with Malawi Airlines and civil aviation authorities from both countries had yielded a major breakthrough. Beginning 15 December, Malawi Airlines will launch four weekly flights to Uganda, a development expected to significantly ease business travel and trade logistics.
A delegation of 10–15 business leaders in agribusiness, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals will travel on the inaugural flight for direct engagements with their Ugandan counterparts.
He commended cooperation between chambers of commerce, investment promotion agencies, and sector associations, particularly the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) and the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), urging both sides to sustain momentum beyond the forum.
Malawi Calls for Stronger Industrial, Agricultural and Mining Partnerships
The Chief Guest, Ms. Sphiwe Msiska, Director of Administration at Malawi’s Ministry of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Dr. Patridge George.
She noted that the forum comes at an important moment for both nations as they seek to expand market access within COMESA and the EAC. Msiska highlighted that Malawi recently rebranded its Ministry of Trade to reflect national priorities in industrialization and tourism development.
She encouraged Ugandan investors to explore Malawi’s robust opportunities in agribusiness and agro-processing.
“Over 70% of Malawians depend on agriculture, producing high-value products like sugar, macadamia nuts, tea, tobacco, and grapes,” she said, urging partnerships that boost production, value addition, and exports.
Msiska also pointed to emerging opportunities in mining, noting Malawi’s underdeveloped rare-earth elements and newly opened licensing for exploration. Growth in this sector, she added, will require expanded energy transmission, creating further investment prospects.
On tourism, she emphasized Malawi’s diverse assets—Lake Malawi, cultural sites, and national parks—highlighting that the new flight route presents avenues for joint tourism packages. She also encouraged cooperation in finance, services, and infrastructure, including leveraging Malawi’s rail and road networks for joint development.
Msiska affirmed Malawi’s stable political environment and sound macroeconomic framework, noting that priority sectors enjoy up to 10-year tax holidays, export incentives, and duty-free access to major regional markets through SADC and COMESA.
She urged Ugandan investors to take advantage of these openings through partnerships in land use, logistics, and industrial development.
Focus on NDP IV and Market Access for Ugandan Products
The forum aims to accelerate Uganda’s drive to attract Foreign Direct Investment and expand exports, aligning with the NDP IV and the 2025/2026 budget theme:
“Full monetization of Uganda’s economy through commercial agriculture, industrialization, expanding and broadening services, digital transformation, and market access.”
Day one featured presentations and panel discussions from the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Uganda Manufacturers Association, Uganda Airlines, Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, and the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC). Business-to-business and government-to-government engagements opened pathways for new joint ventures and partnership development.
