The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC) in partnership with TradeMark Africa, UK International Development and other partners is scheduled to hold the National Trade Sector Review Conference 2026, a high-level national platform designed to review the Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Sector performance, its wide goals and mandate, analyze the progress in implementation of past initiatives, and devise strategies for the development of the sector.
Held under the theme “Trade-Driven Transformation: Propelling Uganda to a $500B Economy by 2040,” the Conference is scheduled to take place on 4th–5th March 2026 at the Common Wealth Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.
The conference will provide a structured environment to align Uganda’s trade strategy with its ambition to expand the economy tenfold—from approximately US$50 billion to US$500 billion by 2040.
The Conference is positioned as a national, evidence-based, multi-stakeholder dialogue intended to generate actionable trade policy and strategy recommendations to accelerate Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, anchored on the ATMS model—Agro industrialisation, Tourism Development, Mineral Development, and Science, Technology and Innovation.
The Conference will convene 250–350 participants, including Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Private Sector leaders, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Cooperatives, civil society, academia, development partners, regional trade bodies, and media organisations among others.
The platform will provide a stock-take of Uganda’s trade performance and readiness to leverage the tenfold growth strategy, while producing a time-bound national communiqué and implementation matrix for follow-up.
A major highlight of the Conference will be the launch of the revised National Trade Policy
(NTP). The policy has been revised to align with the current economic shifts, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), new regional markets, and a focus on value addition. The revised policy aims at enhancing Uganda’s competitiveness and support the country’s $500 billion target.
“TradeMark Africa’s support for this Conference reflects our commitment to enabling trade through integrated and practical reforms that reduce the cost of doing business, improve border efficiency, strengthen standards and SPS compliance, and enhance value-chain competitiveness, while promoting the inclusion of women and youth.
Nearly two decades after the current Trade Policy was adopted, the Conference provides a timely platform to unveil Uganda’s revised National Trade Policy and National Export Development Strategy. By strengthening coordination across trade institutions and stakeholders, the Conference will help align priorities, accelerate reform implementation, and reinforce trade as a key driver of Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth ambition.”, said Anna Nambooze, Trademark Africa’s Country Director.
During the conference, the Ministry will also launch the National Trade Policy Development and Implementation Plan, the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS), and the Online Reporting Platform. These instruments are expected to guide regulatory reforms, export promotion, services trade competitiveness, minerals-based industrialisation, agro-industrial value chain scaling, cooperative-led trade expansion, and the application of trade policy to promote trade order, quality, and standardisation.
The National Trade Sector Review Conference 2026 will strengthen stakeholder coordination, generate practical reform commitments, increase media awareness of Uganda’s trade policy direction, and accelerate implementation of strategies aimed at driving export growth, value addition, structural transformation, and inclusive economic development.
Registration for Participants: The Ministry calls upon businesses across manufacturing, agro-processing, ICT and digital trade, logistics, financial services, minerals, high-value manufacturing, cooperatives, and services sectors to register their attendance through https://nationaltradereview.ug and participate in shaping Uganda’s trade-driven transformation agenda.
Exhibition: In addition to attendance registration, exhibitor registration has also opened. The exhibition is a strategic opportunity for businesses to showcase innovations, build partnerships, engage policymakers, and position their enterprises within Uganda’s evolving trade and industrial policy landscape. The exhibition space will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visit https://nationaltradereview.ug to register for attendance and access exhibition and sponsorship information.
