President Museveni has emphasised the need for urgent action to address non-tariff barriers hindering trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at the commissioning of the Free Zones Export Facility and the launch of the AfCFTA Implementation Strategy for Uganda in Entebbe, Museveni noted that the majority of Uganda’s trade occurs within the East African region and the broader African continent.
“Failure to act quickly hampers our growth rate and affects the private sector’s growth,” he stated, highlighting the critical role seamless trade plays in fostering economic resilience and expansion.
“Establishing the Uganda Free Zones Export Facility is a game-changer for our economy.”
The President’s call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration and commitment among African nations to overcome trade challenges and unlock the full potential of the AfCFTA.
Uganda is set to formally export products to West Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which Uganda and 44 other nations signed in 2018.
The first exports to the Nigerian market under AfCFTA from Uganda will include dairy, coffee, fish, pharmaceuticals, and tea.
The commissioning of the Uganda Free Zones Export Facility will boost Uganda’s journey towards enhancing its export capacity and fostering regional integration within the AfCFTA framework.
This initiative will also streamline export processes, reduce trade barriers, and create a conducive environment for Ugandan businesses to thrive in the global market.
Odrek Rwabwogo, Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), said Uganda will export products under AfCFTA to over seven countries across Africa.
These products include coffee, dairy, tea, and pharmaceuticals.
Rwabwogo advised export companies to conduct basic research before entering international markets to understand consumer preferences, promote quality products, and boost export processes.
Yugo Invest Director and coffee exporter Borris Stoikov said, “Uganda’s coffee is one of the highest-quality coffees in the world, and we want to put Ugandan coffee back on the world map.”