Kampala, Uganda – Uganda is set to host the Trade Review Conference 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo from March 26-27, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for enhancing the country’s trade competitiveness.
Organised by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives under the theme, "Towards Trade Competitiveness for Achieving the 10-Fold Growth Strategy", the conference seeks to position Uganda as a regional trade powerhouse.
The strategy aims to propel Uganda’s GDP from $53 billion to $500 billion by 2040, aligning with the country’s National Development Plans and Vision 2040.
Mr Francis Mwebesa, the minister of tradeindustry, and cooperatives, said the conference comes in as a crucial tooling meeting for shaping Uganda’s economic trajectory.
“This conference is an opportunity for us to listen to all stakeholders and obtain their views on how to position Uganda for trade competitiveness," he said.
"The Government of Uganda is committed to achieving this strategy as part of our broader economic transformation agenda.”
A Trade Review Conference serves as a platform for government, private sector, civil society, academia, and development partners to evaluate trade policies, identify challenges, and explore strategies for boosting Uganda’s trade competitiveness.
These events focus on reviewing trade statistics, discussing market access and regulatory challenges, and formulating actionable policies to drive economic development.
The discussions at Munyonyo will focus on market access opportunities, reducing import dependence, trade financing, digital trade technologies, SME growth, and strengthening standards and quality infrastructure.
The event is sponsored by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) through TradeMark Africa (TMA).
Ms Anna Nambooze, country director of TMA, emphasized the significance of fostering private-sector dialogue, saying “The Trade Review Conference aligns with TMA’s goal of growing prosperity through increased trade."
The Munyonyo conference continues Uganda's tradition of sector review meetings organised by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives.
Similar conferences have taken place in previous years, including the 7th Annual Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives Sector Review Conference in 2016, the 8th in 2017, and the 9th in 2018, all aimed at assessing trade performance and developing strategies for economic growth.
The Munyonyo conference will feature presentations, panel discussions, and workshops on key trade issues, with a focus on achieving the 10-Fold Growth Strategy, which aims to expand Uganda’s GDP from $53 billion to $500 billion by 2040.
By fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, the conference is expected to contribute significantly to shaping Uganda’s trade future and strengthening its position in the global economy.
"We are pleased to facilitate discussions that will drive strategy and mutually agreed actions to create a dynamic and inclusive trade environment," Ms Nambooze said.
With Uganda’s economy poised for significant expansion, the Trade Review Conference 2025 is expected to generate actionable policy recommendations to address trade barriers and unlock new growth opportunities.