LUCAS MUSISI
African CEO Magazine, a New York City-based pan-African media, and events production company, is collaborating with the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to organize the Uganda International Business and Investment Summit scheduled for May 23–25 in Kampala.
In recent years, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ugandan businesses and the broader business finance environment have faced numerous emerging challenges. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for uncovering new opportunities that can strengthen and position Ugandan enterprises, impact investors, and policymakers for sustained growth and inclusivity.
The primary objective of the summit is to facilitate Ugandan businesses and impact investors in their efforts to enter regional and global markets, access various financial resources, utilize regional and international networks, and enhance their capacity for expansion. Additionally, the summit will provide a platform for national and international leaders from the financial sector, both public and private, to advocate for inclusive policies and outline strategies to support Ugandan enterprises and investors.
Lydia Thomas, Executive Director of the African CEO Media Corporation and the Event Coordinator emphasizes that “the Summit aims to strengthen partnerships and unlock new investment opportunities across Uganda and the broader East Africa region by engaging private sector investors and fostering dialogue with policymakers and other stakeholders to develop investor-friendly policies and a conducive business environment.”
Expected to gather approximately 500 selected participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, development finance institutions, financial service providers, corporate sector leaders, bankers, business influencers, SMEs, political figures, economists, journalists, international organizations, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors, the summit will facilitate discussions on regional and global business prospects for Ugandan enterprises and the private sector finance ecosystem through main sessions and related events.
Caroline Jackson, Executive Vice President of the African CEO Media Corporation, stresses that “inspiring Ugandan entrepreneurs with regional and global business models and success stories is a fundamental expectation of the summit.”
Expounding on the anticipated outcomes, Caroline highlights that “facilitating networking opportunities, fostering strategic alliances, providing tailored capacity-building initiatives for investors, business facilitators, and enterprises, and engaging Ugandan stakeholders in formulating enhanced business policy frameworks that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth while strengthening resilient infrastructure to support Ugandan enterprises and deliver favorable returns for investors are among our envisioned outcomes.”
In summary, the Uganda International Business and Investment Summit aims to act as a catalyst for transformative changes in Uganda’s business landscape, foster synergies and lay the groundwork for sustainable economic progress.