The Uganda High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, accredited to the Kingdom of Thailand, hosted “The Pearl of Africa – Uganda Business Forum & Expo 2025 – Thailand Chapter” on 26th November 2025 to introduce Uganda as a promising new investment destination in Africa for Thai investors.
The event which took place at the Bangkok Intercontinental, aimed to promote economic, trade, investment, and tourism cooperation across four key sectors: Tourism & Hospitality, Agro-Industrialization & Food Processing, ICT & Innovation, and Mining, Oil & Gas. Uganda also highlighted its comprehensive investment incentives, including Free Economic Zones, Investment Certificates, tax exemptions, import duty waivers, profit repatriation guarantees, and one-stop investor services, reinforcing its potential as an attractive gateway to a consumer market exceeding 500 million people across East Africa and the COMESA region under the vision of “Sustainable Shared Prosperity.”
Hon. Fredrick Ngobi Gume Minister of State for Trade in charge of Co-operatives, emphasized that the “Pearl of Africa – Uganda Business Forum & Expo” is designed to strengthen economic, trade, investment, and tourism ties between Uganda and Asian countries, as well as to facilitate knowledge exchange and business networking between government agencies, the private sector, and investors.
Minister Gume further stated that the forum serves as a bridge for economic and innovative cooperation and promotes sustainable shared growth. Uganda is actively seeking partnerships in four key sectors: Tourism & Hospitality, Agro-Industrialization & Food Processing, ICT & Innovation, Mining, Oil & Gas . “We invite Thai investors to participate in mineral exploration, refining, value addition, renewable energy development, and energy investment networks connecting Thailand and Africa,” he said.
Welcoming all guests to the event, High Commissioner of Uganda to Malaysia, Also accredited to Thailand, Amb. Betty Bigombe said that Uganda is emerging as Africa’s new investment destination, offering stability, competitive incentives, and access to over 500 million consumers through both the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
“We are strategically located at the heart of the continent, serving as a gateway to one of the fastest-growing regions in Africa. For example, Uganda’s bilateral trade with Thailand increased by USD 59 million in 2024, demonstrating growing confidence and immense untapped potential,” said Bigombe.
Speaking at the event, Amb. Richard Kabonero who represented Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire remarked that previous editions of the forum in Indonesia and Malaysia received positive responses, reflecting growing interest in Uganda. “The Thailand edition aims to expand economic opportunities further and deepen Thai-Uganda cooperation”.
Representative of the Thai Government, H.E. Mrs. Urasa Mongkolnavin, Director General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand commended the Government of Uganda for being so consistent and enthusiastic in its efforts to promote the ample opportunities Uganda offers in Thailand and across Southeast Asia.
Recalling a Familiarization Trip for Thai Tour operators in December 2024, organized by the Uganda High Commission she gave testimony “I am delighted to inform that these Thai companies are now successfully offering tour packages to Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” bringing Thai tourists to experience Uganda’s unique experiential tourism”.
Ms. Mongkolnavin also reported that Thailand is actively relaunching the Thailand – Africa Initiative or TAI, which was originally launched in 2011, during the visit of the then Thailand Prime Minister to Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique. “The Thailand – Africa Initiative is the key policy to signify our renewed commitment to broader and deeper partnerships with the African continent across multiple dimensions; namely political, economic, development as well as international issues”.
The event included panel discussions, B2B and G2G sessions. Uganda’s delegation included representatives from the Ministries of Trade, Foreign Affairs, ICT, MAAIF, Uganda Development Cooperation, NSSF, the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce, the Uganda Tourism Association, and private sector representatives.
