Equity Bank hosts trade mission to boost local investment and open markets for Ugandan MSMES
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In a bid to promote local investments and expand markets for the small and medium enterprises, Equity Bank has organized a two-day trade mission bringing over 40 foreign investors from across Africa and beyond to explore trade and investment opportunities in Uganda.
The investors arrived in Uganda Wednesday evening, having been in Tanzania for a two-day trade mission, which spanned Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. The trade mission organized by Equity Group is designed to promote cross-border trade and investment and strengthen regional value chains under the Group’s Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP).
The mission convenes over 40 investors from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, including entrepreneurs, private equity firms, development partners, and institutional investors.
The Equity Investors’ Trade Mission Day 1 kicked off with field visits to local businesses and factories early today.
The first stop was at Tambiisa Uganda Limited, which focuses on delivering the finest vanilla for export to international countries through its state-of-the-art processing facilities. The company that has been in existence since 2009 outsources fresh vanilla from over 8000 farmers in 38 districts across Uganda, and, started with working capital provided by Equity Bank Uganda Limited.
The CEO Isa Tamale took the delegates on a guided tour of the facility that employs 25 permanent staff members and 340 casual labourers in Wakiso District.
It’s also among the Top 2 vanilla exporters in Uganda exporting vanilla (dried and in powder form) to countries like the USA, UK, Germany, France, South Africa, Mauritius and Madagascar.
Delegates will participate in panel discussions, B2B networking, government and business forums, and strategic site visits in sectors such as agribusiness, energy, tourism, infrastructure, financial services and manufacturing.
“This mission is a strategic effort to unlock the enormous potential that exists in Tanzania and Uganda by connecting global capital to local opportunities. Our goal is to catalyze investment and trade that delivers lasting impact by creating jobs, enhancing value chains, and driving inclusive economic growth,” said Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO.
Delegates will also explore opportunities in value addition, manufacturing, and technology, with special attention to sectors such as dairy processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, and agri-tech. Investors will also go on site visits and engage in dialogue with policymakers and business leaders in Kampala.
The trade mission builds on the legacy of successful Equity-led trade and investment missions in recent years, including Uganda-DRC, Uganda-Vietnam, India-Uganda, and DRC Investors Roadshows.
These missions have helped catalyze billions in investment, facilitate new business partnerships, and supported regional trade integration helping to facilitate the Africa Free Continental Trade Area Agreement, of which Equity Group is a signatory. In addition, through a formal partnership with the East African Community (EAC), Equity is actively supporting the creation of a common market by accelerating the implementation of the ARRP.
As part of its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan, Equity Group is redirecting liquidity equivalent to 2% of the region’s GDP toward the private sector, targeting critical value chains in agriculture, manufacturing, MSMEs, and infrastructure. The plan aims to reach 100 million people and businesses by 2030 and create up to 50 million jobs across the continent.
