Vice President Jessica Alupo has urged investors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to channel their resources into Uganda’s agro-industrial and value-addition sectors to strengthen bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.
“Just as Uganda has strategically invested in Saudi Arabia through Nonda Commodities Limited, we invite reciprocal investment to strengthen this two-way partnership,” Alupo said.
“Together we can transform Uganda into Saudi Arabia’s primary African sourcing and industrial partner for coffee and related agro-value chains.”
Alupo made the remarks while representing President Yoweri Museveni during a bilateral meeting with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih on the sidelines of the Ninth Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh.
The discussions centred on “Deepening Uganda–Saudi Arabia Bilateral Investment Cooperation through the Value-at-Source Coffee Project.”
She explained that Uganda had identified Saudi Arabia as a key hub for re-exporting coffee to the Gulf Cooperation Council and Asian markets.
“This alignment leverages the Kingdom’s maritime access through the Red Sea and its growing connectivity to Asian consumer markets, which represent the fastest-rising coffee demand globally,” Alupo noted.
The Value-at-Source Coffee Project is a $148 million (about Shs556 billion) public-private partnership linking Uganda’s production base with Saudi Arabia’s strategic trade infrastructure.
It features three major components:
- The Luweero Coffee Park (Uganda): Africa’s largest integrated coffee processing hub, with a green bean handling capacity of 42,000 metric tonnes annually.
- The Jazan Coffee Terminal (Saudi Arabia): A logistics and value-addition terminal with a 24,000 metric tonne capacity, offering global maritime access for Uganda’s coffee exports.
- Certified Exchange Warehousing in Jazan: A global trading and warehousing hub designed to position Jazan alongside major coffee ports such as Antwerp, Trieste, and Dubai.
According to Alupo, these initiatives will create dual-market access: Jazan serving Gulf and Asian markets valued at over $10 billion (about Shs37 trillion) annually, and Luwero targeting Africa’s $3 billion (about Shs11 trillion) instant coffee market.
“The Nonda coffee brand and related value-added products will embody a bilateral identity — grown in Uganda, expanded through Saudi Arabia, and enjoyed globally,” she said.
Alupo, who is also the Woman MP for Katakwi District, commended Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for transforming Saudi Arabia into a global investment powerhouse.
She said Uganda seeks partnership, not aid — in line with its Vision 2040 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, both of which emphasize industrial self-reliance.
Minister Khalid Al Falih praised Uganda’s continued peace, prosperity, and regional stability, describing the country as “a beacon of commerce in the region.”
“We have seen countries neighbouring Uganda fall into political strife, but Uganda has remained peaceful because of President Museveni’s wise leadership,” Khalid said.
He pledged continued cooperation in infrastructure, agro-industrial development, mineral exploitation, and humanitarian assistance, noting Uganda’s impressive 6.3 percent economic growth rate in the 2024/25 financial year, driven by agriculture, industry, and services.
“This rapid growth reflects the wisdom and efficiency of Uganda’s leadership,” Khalid added, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to support Uganda’s growth and development agenda.