Uganda-Vietnam trade jumps to $95.4 million as both countries push coffee, tech deals

Trade volume between Uganda and Vietnam grew by $24.8 million, about Shs92 billion, over a one-year period, according to latest official figures released at the Pearl of Africa Business Forum (Vietnam Chapter).

The Forum, which was convened by the Uganda High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, drew government ministries, departments and agencies, and the private sector from both countries.

“Bilateral trade grew from $28.6 million, about Shs106 billion, in 2024 to $53.4 million, about Shs198.5 billion, in 2025, with other official figures putting total trade for 2025 at $95.47 million, about Shs355 billion,” Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Anh Tuan, was quoted in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He added: “Vietnam is not looking for aid, but for partners to build with. While Uganda offers the market and the resources, we bring technology and experience.”

Vietnamese Foreign Direct Investment in Uganda currently stands at $40 million, about Shs148.7 billion, with an additional $35 million, around Shs130 billion, committed to gold exploration and $500,000, Shs1.8 billion, invested in construction.

During the period in review, Uganda’s exports were led by coffee, cotton and meat at $49.85 million, Shs185 billion, while imports from Vietnam came in at $45.62 million, Shs184.5 billion.

These included animal feeds, cement clinker, electronics, garments and footwear. Overall, Uganda ended the year with a trade surplus. With the Africa Continental Free Trade Area now open, Ugandan companies also met Vietnamese buyers who want consistent supply of coffee and leather.

It was also revealed that Vietnamese manufacturers asked Ugandan partners about distribution into Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was the first time Ugandan and Vietnamese tech firms sat down together without a long agenda, and discussed digital payments for cross-border trade, agro-tech tools for coffee traceability, and a BPO pilot that could employ Ugandan graduates to support Vietnamese companies.

Over 300 people attended the Forum, including government, business, and members of the Ugandan community in Asia.

Later, both countries signed a Collaboration Agreement on Coffee Value Chain Development on the sidelines, following a technical visit earlier this year.

“MoU must mean better prices” Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr Frank Tumwebaze, said both sides agreed to return with two practical pilot proposals within 90 days.

“A Memorandum of Understanding means nothing if a farmer doesn’t see a better price next season; that is the test,” he said.

Uganda’s High Commissioner to Kuala Lumpur with accreditation to Vietnam, Amb. Betty Bigombe, said Vietnam brings the skills and the speed.

“If we strengthen bilateral relations and economic diplomacy with Vietnam, we can achieve our goal of becoming a top middle-income country,” she said. “Vietnam brings the skills and the speed, which means factories, jobs and exports.”

The partnership between Uganda and Vietnam spans over 50 years of diplomatic ties rooted in South-South cooperation, industrialisation, and agricultural transformation. It was revitalised by President Museveni’s State Visit to Hanoi in November 2022.