Uganda is gearing up to showcase its vast investment potential at the Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025, set for April 23-24 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Organised by the Uganda High Commission in Malaysia, the event is a key part of Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) agenda, aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), boosting trade, and strengthening business ties with Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
At a media briefing in Kampala, diplomats and business leaders highlighted the importance of partnerships with Asian nations in driving Uganda’s economic growth. Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ambassador Charles Ssentongo stressed that Uganda’s long-standing ties with Malaysia and other Asian countries play a crucial role in modernising the economy and expanding market access.
"Our partnerships under the Commonwealth and South-South Cooperation offer great promise," he said. "Uganda’s peaceful business environment and attractive investment policies make it a prime destination for foreign investors."
The session, moderated by Margaret Kafeero, MOFA’s Head of Public Diplomacy, encouraged the media to focus on Uganda’s economic transformation.
"While politics remains important, Uganda’s real story is its economic progress," she said, urging journalists to engage more with diplomatic missions to highlight Uganda as an investment hub.
Al Haji Habib Kagimu, Uganda’s Honorary Consul to Malaysia, emphasised the critical role of foreign trade in Uganda’s growth. Drawing comparisons with Singapore and Malaysia, he noted that despite their small populations, their economies thrive due to trade and investment.
"Uganda must prioritise industrialisation and trade over political debates to achieve its goal of a $500 billion economy in 15 years," he stated.
Ambassador Oyella Betty Bigombe, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, described the Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025 as a platform for both business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-government (G2G) engagements.
"This is not just about exhibitions; it is a business matchmaking event," she explained. "Manufacturers, investors, and industrialists will form partnerships that lead to tangible investments."
Ambassador Bigombe also pointed out that Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 presents Uganda with a chance to deepen trade ties within the region. This aligns with Uganda’s 10-year growth strategy, which aims to increase GDP from $49.5 billion to $500 billion by 2040, focusing on agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral exploration, and tech innovation.
Ambassador Elly Kamahungye, MOFA’s Head of International Economic Cooperation, outlined agriculture, oil and gas, ICT, and tourism as priority areas for foreign investment. He stressed the need for continuous engagement with Asian investors to unlock Uganda’s potential in coffee, tea, palm oil, and oil exploration.
Barbara Mulwana, Uganda’s Honorary Consul to Thailand, echoed this sentiment, saying the forum offers more than just exhibitions.
"We attend such events to learn, make strategic decisions, and manage business risks," she said, encouraging Ugandan entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity.
Addressing concerns about Ugandan migrants in Southeast Asia, Ambassador Bigombe assured that the Uganda High Commission is actively working to facilitate their safe return. She advised Ugandans seeking jobs abroad to use official diplomatic channels to avoid exploitation.
"We urge Ugandans to verify job offers through our diplomatic missions to avoid falling victim to human trafficking," she cautioned.
With Malaysia set to chair ASEAN in 2025, Uganda is positioning itself as a top investment destination in Africa. The Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025 is expected to attract high-profile investors, policymakers, and business leaders from across Asia, further cementing Uganda’s economic ties with the region.
Through strategic partnerships and diplomatic efforts, Uganda is unlocking new trade and investment frontiers that will drive long-term growth, industrialisation, and economic modernisation. The Uganda High Commission in Malaysia is calling on government ministries and private sector leaders to back the event, which could shape the nation’s economic future.