Browsing: Business

Sub-Saharan Africa is poised for a moderate economic recovery in 2025-26, with GDP growth expected to reach 4.1%. While stronger domestic demand, stable commodity prices, and policy reforms offer a path to growth, mounting debt, inflationary pressures, and political instability continue to pose serious risks. As the global economy faces slowing growth and trade disruptions, can SSA capitalize on its youthful population and resource wealth to drive long-term prosperity?

Uganda’s aviation industry is flying high, with international passenger traffic reaching 2.24 million in FY 2024/25, a 16% rise that matches pre-pandemic levels. Uganda Airlines’ new routes and airport expansions like Entebbe’s have fueled growth, while exports jumped by nearly 10%. However, funding gaps, land constraints, and service inefficiencies pose challenges. Future projects like Kidepo International Airport and regional aerodrome upgrades aim to sustain this momentum and further boost tourism and trade.

Uganda’s economy is showing impressive growth, with GDP rising to 6.7% and export earnings surging by 21.8% in Q1 of FY 2024/25. However, the widening trade deficit and inefficiencies in service delivery pose challenges to sustained progress. The Ministry of Finance projects steady growth and stable inflation but emphasizes the need for export diversification, fiscal discipline, and investment in human capital to secure long-term economic resilience.

Remittances to Uganda surged to $1.43 billion in 2023, providing critical support to household incomes and economic stability. As the nation leverages these funds to reduce poverty and drive growth, challenges like high transaction costs and limited financial inclusion remain barriers to maximizing their impact. Here’s how Uganda compares globally and what it can do to transform remittances into a tool for sustainable development.

Uganda’s second-hand clothing (SHC) market continues to thrive, contributing significantly to tax revenues and household affordability. Despite the proposed ban by the East African Community, SHC imports have grown, with China emerging as a dominant supplier. This analysis explores the market dynamics, re-export trade, and the socioeconomic implications of transitioning to local textile production.

A new report, Pathways to Prosperity for Adolescent Girls in Africa, highlights the immense potential of investing in adolescent girls, particularly in Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa. With over half of African girls aged 15 to 19 out of school, married, or raising children, targeted interventions in education, health, and economic opportunities could generate over $2.4 trillion in economic gains by 2040. By addressing gender-based violence, reducing education costs, and equipping girls with market-aligned skills, policymakers have the chance to transform lives, communities, and economies. Investing in girls is not just a moral imperative but a key to Africa’s growth.

Ugandan scholar and human rights advocate Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo has become a powerful voice against corruption. From his incisive cartoons to groundbreaking campaigns like the Kampala Pothole Exhibition and #UgandaHealthExhibition, Ssentongo has mobilized Ugandans to demand accountability. Named a U.S. Department of State Global Anti-Corruption Champion, he continues to challenge entrenched vices, even as threats to his safety mount. His resilience and activism embody hope for a more just and equitable Uganda.

Miika, a resilient student from Ntungamo, is breaking barriers at Makerere University. Born with a disability that once confined him to a wheelchair, he now operates Infinity Radio from his dorm room, amplifying youth voices and advocating for inclusivity. Despite challenges, his journey from humble beginnings to a student leader and entrepreneur embodies determination, innovation, and hope.

Before 2024, Mathias Mpuuga symbolized leadership and unity across Uganda’s political, religious, and cultural arenas. Yet, his recent fall from grace, amid allegations of corruption and strained relations with the National Unity Platform, marks a turning point in his political trajectory. Despite the challenges, Mpuuga’s resilience and new Democratic Alliance movement signal a bold attempt to redefine Uganda’s opposition landscape.