Uganda-UAE Trade Hits $4.7 Billion as Fifth Business Forum Targets Investment Deals

Uganda and the United Arab Emirates will seek to deepen trade and investment ties at the fifth UAE-Uganda Business Forum, with bilateral trade rising to $4.7 billion in 2025 from $2.7 billion a year earlier, Uganda’s ambassador to the UAE said on Tuesday.

The forum, scheduled for Oct. 26-29, 2026, will be held across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah and will bring together government officials, investors, business leaders, financial institutions and chambers of commerce from both countries.

Kibedi Zaak, Head of Mission at the Embassy of Uganda in the UAE, said the forum would focus on turning growing bilateral relations into commercial transactions rather than discussions alone.

“We therefore intend to use this forum to move beyond dialogue and generate concrete business transactions, investment commitments, partnerships and market access opportunities,” Kibedi said.

The UAE has emerged as Uganda’s leading global market destination for its products since October 2025, according to figures presented by Kibedi.

He said the $4.7 billion trade recorded in 2025 compared with $600 million in 2018, representing a more than seven-fold increase over the period.

Kibedi described the shift as significant for Uganda’s external trade.

“For the first time in the history of Uganda, it is the first time that our leading global trade partner is outside the region,” he said.

UAE investment in Uganda has also increased, with foreign direct investment rising from $300 million in 2018 to $3.5 billion in 2025, according to the figures presented at the forum briefing.

The UAE has also become a major destination for Ugandan workers and residents. Kibedi said more than 150,000 Ugandans were living and working in the UAE in 2025, up from about 50,000 in 2018.

The four-day forum will focus on agriculture and agro-processing, trade and exports, investment, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, energy, logistics and air cargo, manufacturing, financial services and technology.

Kibedi said the forum would also be used to connect Ugandan producers and exporters with UAE buyers, investors and potential strategic partners, as Uganda seeks access to the UAE and wider Gulf markets.

“The success of this forum will be measured not only by the number of meetings held, but by the contracts signed, investments secured, exports generated, partnerships established and jobs created as a result of engagement,” he said.

The Ugandan mission in the UAE is expected to support business matchmaking, market intelligence and the identification of investment and export opportunities, according to Kibedi.

He urged Ugandan businesses, investors, exporters, financial institutions and government agencies to participate in the forum.

The event comes as the two countries expand cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture and energy, with Uganda seeking to attract more investment while increasing access for its products in the UAE market.

Kibedi said the forum would also serve as a platform for Uganda to promote itself as an investment and business destination and strengthen economic and commercial diplomacy between the two countries.