Uganda's innovative spirit and growing value chains stole the show at the 11th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11), as the continent turned its focus to homegrown solutions for sustainable progress.
A centerpiece of the forum was the dynamic Knowledge Fair and Exhibition, jointly organized by UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, in close coordination with the Knowledge Management team of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Uganda.
Officially opened by Uganda’s Minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister and newly appointed ARFSD Bureau Chair, Justine Lumumba Kasule, alongside Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the ECA, the fair drew an impressive lineup of participants from UN bodies to local entrepreneurs each showcasing success stories aligned with the forum’s five spotlight SDGs, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
At the heart of the event was the theme “Making Uganda the Best”, which underscored locally-driven innovation from value-added agricultural products and green technologies to advancements in Uganda’s motor industry and community-powered digital solutions.
Touring the exhibition, Minister Lumumba expressed admiration for the quality and ingenuity on display.
“What we are witnessing here is proof that Uganda and indeed Africa has the talent, creativity, and will to lead its own transformation,” Lumumba noted.
Mr. Gatete echoed the sentiment, highlighting the significance of regional knowledge-sharing and scaling innovation across borders.
“This Knowledge Fair is a testament to Africa’s ability to innovate within its context and rise to its development challenges. Our goal now must be to amplify these efforts, build stronger value chains, and ensure no idea with impact goes unnoticed,” Gatete stated.
The fair not only celebrated innovation but also provided a fertile ground for networking, partnerships, and knowledge exchange. Innovators from both the private and informal sectors took center stage proof that sustainable development doesn’t always come from the top, but often from the ground up.
As the ARFSD-11 sessions continue, Uganda’s display of innovation has positioned it as a beacon for local solutions with continental potential.
“If we invest in our own people and ideas, we can redefine Africa’s development story on our terms,” said one Ugandan exhibitor.
With the Knowledge Fair serving as a cornerstone of ECA’s knowledge delivery model, its success in Kampala may well set the tone for future forums across the continent.