Uganda has stepped up efforts to grow exports and attract investment after participating in the 139th China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, China.
The five-day exhibition, held from 1 to 5 May 2026, brought together thousands of buyers, manufacturers and investors from across the world, giving Ugandan businesses an opportunity to market their products to international markets.
Uganda’s delegation featured exhibitors from the coffee, shea butter and artisanal crafts sectors, including Seedstar Specialty Coffee, Elyon Organics, Senela Organics, RhinoSeeds Africa and Megkari Coffee.
Exhibitors described the event as a breakthrough for Ugandan products, particularly coffee, which attracted strong interest from buyers and visitors at the fair.
“The world now knows Uganda coffee. Visitors from across the globe were smelling the coffee, tasting it and wanting to learn more,” said Kawuki Annet of Seedstar Specialty Coffee.
Nanyombi Christian of Elyon Organics said the exhibition opened new opportunities for Ugandan entrepreneurs seeking international markets.
The Ugandan delegation was led by Consul General Ambassador Juju Nsababera alongside officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda Embassy in Beijing and the Defence Attaché’s office.
Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, Ambassador Nsababera said Uganda must focus on value addition, branding and packaging to compete effectively on the international market.
She noted that China’s population of more than 1.4 billion people presents enormous export opportunities for Ugandan businesses that meet international standards.
Uganda’s pavilion reportedly attracted strong traffic throughout the exhibition, resulting in direct sales and confirmed orders for products including coffee, tea, artisanal crafts and shea butter-based body care products.
Beyond trade, the fair also generated interest in Uganda’s tourism sector, with visitors inquiring about eco-tourism, cultural experiences and leisure travel opportunities.
Officials said Uganda’s participation aligns with the government’s economic and commercial diplomacy agenda aimed at promoting exports, industrialisation and foreign direct investment.
Uganda’s annual trade volume with China currently stands at about US$1.46 billion, although imports from China continue to significantly outweigh Uganda’s exports. Government officials say international trade exhibitions such as the Canton Fair are critical in helping Uganda expand exports and attract investment into sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, energy and mineral development.
