Uganda is preparing for a landmark opportunity to showcase its vast investment potential at the upcoming Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025, slated for April 23-24 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This prestigious event is organized by the Uganda High Commission in Malaysia and will serve as a significant component of Uganda’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) agenda. The primary goal is to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), enhance bilateral trade, and deepen Uganda’s business partnerships with key countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
During a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Kampala, key Ugandan diplomats and business leaders highlighted the critical importance of leveraging partnerships with Asian nations to drive economic growth. Amb. Charles Ssentongo, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened the session by emphasizing the long-standing relationship between Uganda and Asian countries, particularly Malaysia. He underscored that these strategic partnerships are pivotal to Uganda’s goal of modernizing its economy and expanding its market access.
“The partnerships we have fostered with countries like Malaysia under frameworks such as the Commonwealth and South-South Cooperation hold tremendous promise,” Ambassador Ssentongo remarked. He stressed that Uganda’s peaceful business environment, combined with its attractive investment policies, creates a compelling case for foreign businesses to consider Uganda as a prime destination for investment. He urged stakeholders to capitalize on these opportunities to further bolster trade and investment flows.
The session was moderated by Margaret Kafeero, the Head of Public Diplomacy at MOFA, who called upon the media to shift its focus from politics to highlighting the tangible economic strides being made. “While we cannot ignore the political landscape, there is a larger story the story of Uganda’s economic transformation,” she stated. Kafeero emphasized the need for Ugandan journalists to engage more deeply with diplomatic missions abroad, encouraging them to uncover the work being done to promote Uganda as an investment hub on the global stage.
In addition to the diplomatic push, Honorary Consul of Malaysia to Uganda, Al Haji Habib Kagimu, made a pointed remark about the crucial role foreign trade plays in a nation’s economic survival. Drawing comparisons with Singapore and Malaysia, Kagimu highlighted how these countries, with smaller populations, boast impressive GDPs—$501 billion for Singapore and nearly $400 billion for Malaysia. He suggested that Uganda, with its goal of a $500 billion economy within 15 years, must prioritize trade and investment over political discourse to achieve this target. “The focus must be on industrialization, trade, and making money, rather than solely on politics,” Kagimu emphasized, urging the media to publicize opportunities for Ugandan businesses abroad.
H.E. Ambassador Oyella Betty Bigombe, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, underscored the significance of the Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025 as a pivotal platform not only for business-to-business (B2B) engagements but also for government-to-government (G2G) discussions that can lead to concrete investment deals. “This forum is not just about exhibitions,” she noted. “It is a business matchmaking platform, where manufacturers, investors, and industrialists will have the chance to form alliances that drive meaningful investment.”
Ambassador Bigombe also spoke about Uganda’s strategic plans for expanding its presence in the ASEAN market. She pointed out that Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 presents a prime opportunity for Uganda to gain deeper access to the region’s robust markets. This opportunity aligns well with Uganda’s 10-year growth strategy, which aims to increase its GDP from $49.5 billion to $500 billion by 2040, focusing on sectors such as agro-industrialization, tourism development, mineral exploration (including oil and gas), and science and technology innovation.
Ambassador Elly Kamahungye, Head of International Economic Cooperation at MOFA, echoed these sentiments, outlining Uganda’s aspirations in agriculture, oil and gas, ICT, and tourism as key areas for collaboration. Kamahungye emphasized the need for sustained engagement with Asian investors to capitalize on Uganda’s agricultural potential, particularly in coffee, tea, and palm oil production, as well as opportunities in oil exploration and ICT innovation.
The Honorary Consul of Thailand to Uganda, Ms. Barbara Mulwana, a prominent figure in Uganda’s private sector, also made an insightful contribution to the discussion. When asked about the value of attending the upcoming expo, she emphasized that the event offers more than just an exhibition—it serves as an educational platform for business leaders to understand market dynamics and risks. “We attend such events not just for the exhibitions but to learn, make strategic decisions, and mitigate risks,” Mulwana stated, further highlighting the event’s significance in fostering strong, actionable business partnerships.
As discussions turned towards Uganda’s growing tech sector, Amb. Bigombe touched upon the issue of Ugandan migrants in Southeast Asia, particularly those facing difficulties in countries like Myanmar and Malaysia. She reassured the public that the Uganda High Commission is actively working on their safe return and urged Ugandans seeking employment abroad to use official channels to avoid falling victim to trafficking or exploitation. “We encourage Ugandans to verify job opportunities through official diplomatic missions to ensure they don’t fall prey to fraudulent schemes,” she cautioned.
Looking ahead to the Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025, Uganda is positioning itself as a leading investment destination in Africa, with its focus on sustainable growth, industrialization, and modernization. The Uganda High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is calling upon both government ministries and private sector stakeholders to support the event, which is expected to attract high-profile investors, policymakers, and business leaders from across Asia.
As Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, Uganda is set to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to deepen its economic ties with the region. The Pearl of Africa Business Forum & Expo 2025 stands as a pivotal moment for Uganda to showcase its immense potential and attract strategic investments that will drive its long-term economic growth. Through continued diplomatic efforts and strategic partnerships, Uganda is set to unlock new frontiers in trade, investment, and industrialization.
The Government of Uganda, through its High Commission in Malaysia, is fully committed to ensuring the success of this event, which is poised to leave an indelible mark on Uganda’s economic future.
