President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met a Nigerian investor to discuss potential investments in cement manufacturing and mineral production, as well as the export of Ankole cattle and dairy products from Uganda to Nigeria.
Museveni said the meeting with Dr. Abbas A. Waziri was held Tuesday at State House Entebbe.
“I met Dr. Abbas A. Waziri from Nigeria, at State House Entebbe. We discussed investments in cement manufacturing and minerals, as well as exporting our Ankole cattle and dairy products to Nigeria,” Museveni said in a post on X.
The discussions covered opportunities for expanding trade and investment between Uganda and Nigeria, with particular attention to value addition and intra-African trade.
Museveni said African countries should increase production, add value to their products and trade more with one another. “Africa must produce, add value and trade more with itself. I welcome him,” he said.
The meeting also involved a delegation from Resident Cement Company led by State Minister Hajjat Aminah Mukalazi.
The proposed cement and mineral investments come as Uganda seeks to expand domestic manufacturing and processing, while increasing the contribution of value-added products to the economy.
The discussions on Ankole cattle and dairy products also point to efforts to expand Uganda’s livestock and agricultural exports beyond traditional markets.
Uganda has promoted the Ankole longhorn cattle as part of its livestock heritage, while the government has sought to increase commercialisation, productivity and value addition in the livestock sector.
The proposed trade in cattle and dairy products would also deepen economic links between Uganda and Nigeria, two of Africa’s largest economies.
Museveni’s emphasis on increased intra-African trade is consistent with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to expand trade among African countries by reducing barriers and encouraging production and value addition on the continent.
The meeting follows earlier engagements and discussions on investment and trade opportunities between Uganda and Nigerian business interests.
Details on the value of the proposed investments, the specific minerals involved, production capacity, or timelines for exporting Ankole cattle and dairy products were not immediately provided.