KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda and Nigeria are set to deepen their economic partnership as government officials, investors, business leaders and trade support organisations from the two countries meet in Kampala next week for the Uganda-Nigeria Business Forum and Exhibition 2026.
The two-day event, scheduled for September 9 and 10 at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, is being convened by the Uganda High Commission in Abuja in partnership with the governments of Uganda and Nigeria, with support from Quality Chemical Industries Limited (Qcil) and Uganda Airlines.
The forum is intended to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, tourism, industrial cooperation and private-sector partnerships while positioning Uganda and Nigeria to take greater advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The event will bring together senior government officials, trade and investment policymakers, investors, captains of industry, entrepreneurs and business support organisations from both countries to identify opportunities for market access, investment and joint ventures.
The organisers said the meeting is expected to provide a platform for businesses to establish direct partnerships and explore opportunities across sectors considered critical to economic growth in both countries.
Dr Sam Omara of the Uganda High Commission in Abuja said the forum is intended to move Uganda-Nigeria relations beyond diplomatic cooperation towards stronger commercial ties.
“This forum represents a significant milestone in our diplomatic and economic relations with Nigeria. We are committed to creating an enabling environment for our private sectors to thrive, and this event is designed to directly connect businesses, resolve trade barriers, and unlock the vast potential that exists between East and West Africa,” Omara said.
He said the Nigerian delegation will include companies with interests in cement manufacturing, fertiliser and urea production, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, financial services, digital payments, ICT and technology, agro-machinery, palm oil, farm management, real estate, manufacturing and industrial research.
Agriculture and agro-processing will be among the major areas of discussion, with participants expected to explore opportunities in commercial farming, agricultural value addition, livestock, farm management, palm oil and agro-exports.
Ugandan businesses will also have an opportunity to explore Nigeria’s large consumer market, while Nigerian companies are expected to examine Uganda as a potential base for accessing East African markets.
Stephen Asiimwe, Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, said the two countries have a strong foundation for expanding business relations based on longstanding political ties and improving connectivity.
He said Nigeria’s large market presents opportunities for Ugandan businesses, particularly in food, tourism, textiles, fashion and the creative industries.
“We look forward to discussing business with the Nigerian government and private sector, accelerating business matchmaking and opening markets for Uganda’s creative sector, including textiles, fashion and entertainment,” Asiimwe said.
He said improved air connectivity through Uganda Airlines could further facilitate movement between the two markets and support trade and tourism.
Uganda is also seeking to position itself as a gateway for Nigerian companies interested in expanding into East Africa, while Nigerian businesses could provide Ugandan firms with a route into West Africa.
Ambassador Richard Kabonero, representing the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Uganda is working to expand its commercial and diplomatic engagement with Nigeria and the wider West African market.
He also pointed to opportunities created by the expansion of Uganda Airlines and stronger connectivity between Uganda and West Africa.
Kabonero said the two countries could also deepen cooperation in the creative industries, which he described as an area with significant potential for Uganda’s young entrepreneurs.
Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to Uganda, Misitura Abdulraheem, said the two countries have considerable economic potential that can be unlocked through stronger private-sector engagement.
She said the forum would support bilateral cooperation under AfCFTA by giving companies an opportunity to establish partnerships, identify markets and explore investment opportunities across borders.
The forum will feature business-to-business matchmaking, investment showcases, business pitches, sector discussions, an interactive town hall and an exhibition where companies can showcase their products and services.
A Uganda Hub will showcase trade and investment opportunities, while a Fintech Alley will focus on digital payments, financial technology and innovation.
Government agencies and private-sector institutions will also engage participants on investment facilitation, regulatory requirements, trade policies and market access. One of the key issues expected to feature is the removal of practical barriers that can make cross-border business difficult.
These include product registration, standards compliance, market-entry requirements and visa reciprocity. Organisers say addressing such non-tariff barriers will be essential if the opportunities created by AfCFTA are to translate into actual trade and investment.
The forum builds on earlier Uganda-Nigeria business engagements, including the fourth Nigeria-Uganda Trade and Business Forum held in Abuja in September 2024, which coincided with the launch of Uganda Airlines’ direct flights to Abuja. The air link has provided a platform for increased business and tourism interaction between the two markets.
Uganda’s pharmaceutical industry is among the sectors that have already demonstrated potential in the Nigerian market, with Qcil’s exports providing an example of how Ugandan manufacturers can access West African markets.
The upcoming forum is expected to explore additional export opportunities in agro-processing and value addition, including coffee, dairy products, textiles and apparel, fruits and other manufactured and agricultural products. Tourism will also feature prominently, with participants expected to examine ways of increasing visitor flows between Uganda and Nigeria and strengthening partnerships between tourism operators.
The Nigerian delegation is expected to undertake business and tourism field visits following the forum to explore Uganda’s investment opportunities, tourism attractions and productive sectors.
The forum is being supported by Qcil and Uganda Airlines alongside government institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda Investment Authority, Uganda Export Promotion Board and Uganda Revenue Authority.