Uganda’s State Minister for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbadi Mbasu, has called for enhanced trade and investment cooperation between Uganda and Indonesia, highlighting untapped opportunities in key sectors such as tourism, ICT, minerals, and oil and gas.
Speaking at the Pearl of Africa Business Forum in Jakarta on Thursday, Gen. Mbadi told business leaders that Uganda is "open for business" and ready to partner with Indonesian firms in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040 transformation agenda.
“Our two nations, though geographically distant, are united by a shared vision: economic growth through partnership, innovation, and sustainable development,” he said.
The minister outlined Uganda’s investment potential, positioning the country as a dependable partner in the global drive for digital innovation and sustainable industrialisation.
He urged Indonesian tour operators and hotel chains to invest in Uganda’s eco-tourism and cultural exchange programmes, citing the country’s rich biodiversity and scenic beauty.
With Uganda boasting a youthful, tech-savvy population and a growing digital economy, Gen. Mbadi proposed joint ventures in fintech, edtech, agritech, and e-commerce.
He called for collaboration in digital infrastructure and innovation hubs to create a “digital bridge between Jakarta and Kampala.”
He also invited Indonesian investment in Uganda’s reserves of critical minerals: gold, copper, cobalt, and lithium, vital to the energy transition.
Uganda’s oil sector, anchored by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and 6.5 billion barrels in confirmed reserves, was also showcased as a prime investment area. Despite long-standing diplomatic ties, Uganda–Indonesia trade remains modest.
In 2023, Uganda exported goods worth $39.43 million to Indonesia, while imports stood at $16.88 million.
Gen. Mbadi called for the strengthening of trade through the Uganda–Indonesia Joint Commission and preferential agreements under the South-South Cooperation framework.
He praised Indonesia’s industrial progress and assured investors of Uganda’s political stability, regulatory reforms, and investor-friendly climate.
“This is the time to deepen Uganda–Indonesia ties. The doors of Uganda are wide open,” he said.