KAMPALA, February 23, 2026 — Uganda is set to take a bold step towards reshaping its economic future as the National Trade Review Conference convenes on March 4-5, 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
Organised by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC] in collaboration with TradeMark Africa and UK International Development, the high-level event will advance Uganda’s trade-driven transformation agenda under the theme: “Trade-driven transformation: Propelling Uganda to a US$ 500 billion economy by 2040.”
More than 500 high level delegates from government, the private sector and international development organisations are expected to attend, positioning the conference as one of the country’s most significant trade dialogues in recent years. Businesses will also have an opportunity to showcase their brands to this influential audience.
Driving a Tenfold Growth Strategy
At the heart of the conference lies a comprehensive stocktake of Uganda’s trade performance and readiness to deliver on its ambitious tenfold growth strategy. Delegates will assess export competitiveness, value addition and institutional preparedness as the country seeks to accelerate its journey towards upper middle-income status.
Discussions will focus on identifying immediate and medium-term strategic trade actions to drive agro-industrialisation, boost tourism trade, expand minerals-based industrialisation, and strengthen science, technology and innovation [ST&I]. Additional sessions will explore domestic trade, cooperatives development and innovative mechanisms for financing trade.
High-level leadership
The conference will feature keynote addresses and high-level interventions from some of Uganda’s most influential policymakers and economic thinkers. Expected speakers include President Yoweri Museveni; the Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa; and the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney.
Among the leading discussants are Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority; and Stephen Asiimwe, Executive Director of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda/UMA, alongside several others.
From dialogue to action
Beyond policy debate, organisers have emphasised that the conference is intended to deliver tangible outcomes. Delegates are expected to generate concrete policy, regulatory and institutional reform recommendations aimed at boosting Uganda’s exports, deepening value addition and enhancing trade facilitation.
A key objective will be to mobilise resources and firm commitments from both government and development partners to ensure effective implementation of agreed reforms.
With Uganda seeking to harness its comparative advantages in agriculture, tourism, minerals and innovation, the National Trade Review Conference is poised to serve as a critical platform for aligning public and private sector efforts, and for charting a clear, trade-led pathway towards long-term economic transformation.
https://thecooperator.news/africa-rethinking-public-private-partnerships-for-africas-trade-future/
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