Uganda's path to capitalising on surging regional demand for processed foods and animal proteins is the central theme of the 16th National Competitiveness Forum (NCF) held at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala.
Patrick Ocailap, the Acting Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), delivered a keynote address outlining the significant opportunities for the nation's agro-processed exports across Africa.
Ocailap emphasised that the convergence of demographic shifts and a massive free trade area is creating an unprecedented market for Ugandan products.
"The rising incomes, rapid urbanisation, and a growing middle class across Africa are driving soaring demand for processed foods and animal proteins," he stated, adding that "by 2040, demand for processed foods is projected to increase sevenfold."
Uganda already demonstrates a strong regional focus, exporting 58% of its products to Africa. A key area of growth is animal feed, with over half of its animal feeds destined for regional markets.
Ocailap pointed out that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) significantly expands this potential.
"The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) further expands this opportunity, providing access to 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over USD 3 trillion," Ocailap affirmed.
To fully exploit this potential, the PSST called for a strategic focus on the animal feeds industry. He stressed the need "to establish a competitive animal feeds industry to take advantage of the locally available raw materials such as maize, soybeans, sunflower, cottonseed, cassava, sweet potatoes and fish meal to produce high quality and affordable compounded animal feed."
The government's investments through the Parish Development Model (PDM) are simultaneously boosting domestic production, creating a crucial supply chain for the processing sector.
Ocailap highlighted the success of the initiative, noting that the government "has disbursed 3.209 trillion as of October 2025 to 3.251 million beneficiaries."
He provided a breakdown of significant allocations from the FY 2024/25 budget:
Piggery: shs 350.3 billion
Coffee: shs 334.2 billion
Poultry: shs 325.8 billion
Goats: shs 289 billion
Maize: shs 247.9 billion
These disbursements, he concluded, are vital for ensuring a sustained supply of raw materials for agro-processors.
"This continues to boost production, creating backward linkages with small holder farmers and creating opportunities for value addition," said Ocailap. The PSST's address positioned Uganda as an emerging powerhouse ready to satisfy the continent's growing appetite for quality processed food and animal products.
