KAMPALA, February 6, 2026 — The 2026 Stanbic Economic Forum, themed “Uganda’s Inflection Point: Competing in a Rewired Global Economy”, will be streamed live on Stanbic Bank’s YouTube channel on February 12, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Uganda is expected to begin commercial sales of its crude oil reserves in western Uganda later this year, marking a significant milestone widely viewed as an inflection point for the economy and one likely to accelerate GDP growth in the near term.
However, the country remains exposed to persistent geopolitical tensions that continue to disrupt global trade and investment flows.
A key highlight of the Forum will be insights from Jibran Qureishi, Head of Africa Regions Economic Research at Standard Bank Group, who will share perspectives on regional and global economic trends shaping Africa’s growth trajectory.
Speaking of the upcoming event, Bethuel Karanja, Head of Global Markets at Stanbic Bank Uganda, underscored the timeliness of the Forum, noting that deliberate alignment between public policy, private capital and global opportunities is critical.
“At Stanbic Bank, we say Uganda is our home, and we take seriously our responsibility to drive her growth,” Karanja said. “As the country approaches this inflection point, platforms such as the Stanbic Economic Forum are essential in fostering dialogue that supports informed decision-making, long-term investment and economic transformation.”
He added that the Forum reflects the bank’s continued commitment to convening thought leadership and enabling partnerships that advance Uganda’s development agenda. “As a leading financial institution, Stanbic Bank Uganda plays a key role in mobilising capital, supporting trade and infrastructure, and enabling businesses to scale competitively within the region and beyond.”
Over the past five years, Stanbic Bank Uganda has brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to assess Uganda’s economic outlook and policy priorities. This year’s Forum will convene policymakers, business leaders and economic experts to examine how the country can strengthen competitiveness and unlock sustainable growth in an increasingly complex global environment.
Discussions will also focus on national planning priorities, emerging investment opportunities and the role of capital in driving business competitiveness.
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