UAA Secures Historic Market Access and Investment Pledges from UAE Delegation, Paving Way for Agro-Industrialization
Uganda Agribusiness Alliance (UAA) has successfully engineered a transformative breakthrough for Uganda’s agricultural sector, by facilitating a high-level engagement that secured concrete commitments for enhanced market access and foreign direct investment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The strategic meeting, held on August 29th, 2025, brought together a powerful delegation of UAE investors from FoodCo National Foodstuff, Emirati Group, & Salaam Bank Uganda, and key players within Uganda’s agribusiness community, including producers, exporters, and processors. Discussions focused on identifying export-ready products, understanding market requirements, and forging direct business-to-business connections.
A key outcome was the UAE delegation’s direct pledge to open its markets to a wider range of Ugandan agricultural exports.
Products discussed for immediate and near-term export opportunities include:
- Coffee (Robusta and Arabica)
- Fresh Horticulture: mangoes, pineapples, passion fruits, and baby vegetables
- Dairy Products
- Cocoa
- Vanilla
- Floriculture
- Value-Added Processed Goods
Beyond Trade: A Blueprint for Agro-Industrialization
Moving beyond trade, the discussions, delved into strategic partnerships for agro-industrialization. The delegation, which included influential figures like Sheikh Fahad Al Qassimi and Sheikh Ahmed Hassan, expressed strong interest in financing and developing integrated agricultural projects within Uganda.
This long-term vision includes potential investment in:
- Large-Scale Agro-Processing Plants: Adding value to raw commodities locally before export.
- Modern Logistics and Cold Chain Infrastructure: Drastically reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring premium quality.
- Agricultural Technology (AgTech): Introducing smart farming and digital solutions to boost productivity.
- Export-Oriented Production Farms: Establishing large-scale farms for high-value crops targeted at the GCC region.
A Testament to Strategic Facilitation
Sheikh Fahad Al Qassimi of the Uganda Middle East Investors Group stated, “Uganda’s agricultural potential is immense. Our goal is to build symbiotic partnerships where Ugandan productivity meets UAE capital and market access. We are committed to moving from dialogue to concrete, impactful projects.”
Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko, UAA Founder & Board Chairperson hailed this meeting as a milestone. “We are incredibly encouraged by the concrete outcomes of this engagement. The UAE delegation’s pledge is a testament to the quality and potential of Ugandan agricultural products. Our role at the Uganda Agribusiness Alliance is to break down barriers and create these vital opportunities for our members. This isn’t just about trade; it’s about driving economic growth, creating jobs, and increasing incomes for farmers across the value chain”.
UAA Founder & Board Chairperson Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko (First right) making remarks during the high-level meeting.
The Path Forward: From Commitment to Contract
The UAA is already acting to capitalize on this momentum. Our focus is now on:
- Curating an Investment Pipeline: Documenting bankable projects for UAE investors.
- Organizing Structured Business to Business Meetings: Facilitating direct connections between matched companies.
- Advocacy and Support: Working with government agencies to ensure a smooth operational environment for these new partnerships.
This event underscores UAA’s pivotal role as the leading facilitator of agribusiness growth in Uganda, strategically connecting local potential with global opportunity.