Uganda-China Coffee Investment, Trade and Destination Tour
The State Minister of Finance for investments and privatization Hon.Evelyn Anite represented Hon. Matia Kasaija the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development to welcome the delegation from China led by Uganda’s Ambassador Oliver Wonekha in China to discuss investment opportunities and strengthening the long-time economic and co-operation Uganda /China have enjoyed for the last 64 years to date.
The China delegation was led by chairman Diao Chunhe - the chief advisor of china enterprise responsibility alliance in Africa and this visit is expected to pave way for new partnerships, joint ventures, and long-term investments that could accelerate Uganda’s economic transformation.
Our delegation has already undertaken sector-specific engagements, including site visits within the tourism industry, and is now advancing negotiations in manufacturing across multiple value chains—signaling growing investor confidence and a shift toward long-term capital deployment. Said the Minister
Demographically, the Minister noted that Uganda offers a significant advantage with a population exceeding 45.9 million and a median age of just 17, stable and secure environment for investors backed by vast tracts of arable land and a youthful, energetic population ready to drive productivity. the country also maintains a liberalized economic regime that allows 100% profit repatriation, a key consideration for foreign investors.
Uganda’s macroeconomic fundamentals continue to reinforce its attractiveness as an investment destination. The economy is currently valued at approximately US$68.3 billion, with projected growth of 6.8% in the 2024/25 financial year. Inflation remains contained below 5%, supporting a stable operating environment. The Minister said
“sustained investment in infrastructure, improvements in logistics, and continued macroeconomic stability are further strengthening Uganda’s positioning as a competitive investment hub in East Africa’’. Hon. Anite
Uganda’s investment pitch is anchored on strong sector fundamentals. In agriculture, the country remains Africa’s leading exporter of Robusta coffee, with export earnings of US$1.5 billion in 2024, reflecting 60% year-on-year increase. this performance presents significant opportunities for value addition, particularly in agro-processing and export-oriented manufacturing.
Minerals and mining sector, Uganda is positioning itself as a strategic supplier of critical resources, including gold, phosphates, iron ore, cobalt and rare earth elements. The operational gold refinery in Entebbe and ongoing mining activities in Busia are reinforcing the sector’s investment case. At the same time, the country’s oil and gas industry—supported by flagship projects such as Tilenga, Kingfisher and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline which is edging closer to commercial production, opening new avenues for upstream and downstream investment.
The delegation’s investment interests are closely aligned with Uganda’s development blueprint. Foreign direct investors are increasingly aligning with national priorities in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, which are key drivers of structural transformation and economic expansion,” Anite said
Speaking during the engagements, the Minister underscored Uganda’s ambitious Tenfold Growth Strategy, which aims to expand the country’s GDP to $500 billion by 2040. She called on the Chinese delegation to align their investments with this vision, particularly by channeling resources into the manufacturing sector—a cornerstone of Uganda’s industrialization agenda.
Hon. Evelyn Anite urged the Chinese investors to formalize their presence by registering their businesses in Uganda to fully benefit from government incentives, including tax breaks and streamlined operational frameworks that are designed to ease doing business. “The opportunity is here,” noting Uganda’s strategic location in East Africa, improved infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies.
Oliver Wonekha, Uganda’s Ambassador to China, said the delegation is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the country’s investment environment, including policy incentives and regulatory frameworks and closely evaluating tax incentives, regulatory support mechanisms as well as guarantees for profit repatriation factors that remain critical in investment decision-making.
Ambassador oliver wonekha highlighted the role of strengthening economic and commercial diplomacy saying that it has started yielding results thanking the Chinese delegation for taking interest to invest in our agro-industrialization agenda.
Chairman Diao Chunhe Head of delegation appreciated Uganda for the warm reception and the information shared regarding investment opportunities available that are inline with their interest and support from the government to welcome their partnership in development.
He reaffirmed investment support and to continue engaging the business community as well as peers in china to look at Uganda due to its open minded and economic policies that are friendly to business environment and investment opportunities.
