More than 150 business leaders, investors, policymakers and private-sector stakeholders from 10 nationalities are participating in the 2026 Uganda & Rwanda Trade and Investment Roadshow organised by Equity Group.
The roadshow seeks to unlock business and investment opportunities, strengthen economic ties and connect businesses and investors with key partners across East Africa.
The Uganda leg focuses on the country’s investment landscape and cross-border opportunities in agriculture, mining, manufacturing, trade and coffee. Participants are engaged with policymakers, industry leaders and private-sector stakeholders to identify opportunities for commercial partnerships and investment.
Speaking during the roadshow, Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Sanjay Tanna, said the country’s economic transformation requires increased investment in value addition, manufacturing, innovation and skills.
Tanna also called for stronger collaboration between government and financial institutions to unlock opportunities for businesses and create an environment that supports investment and job creation.
He commended Equity Bank for its contribution to Uganda’s financial services sector, particularly its efforts to bring financial services closer to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The minister urged the bank to strengthen its community-level engagement by promoting financial literacy and bookkeeping among micro and small enterprises while helping businesses access finance and markets.
The roadshow will feature a Uganda Coffee Value Chain Roundtable bringing together key industry players, including Neumann Kaffee Gruppe and Volcafe. The forum is expected to provide opportunities for participants to explore partnerships across the coffee value chain.
Equity Bank Uganda Executive Director Claver Serumaga said the roadshow demonstrates the bank’s commitment to facilitating cross-border trade and investment by connecting businesses to capital, markets, technology and strategic partnerships.
He said Uganda has significant opportunities across sectors but needs stronger connections between businesses, investors, technology providers and markets to unlock its full economic potential.
Serumaga emphasised the importance of moving beyond the export of raw commodities by investing in processing, technology, branding and access to regional and global markets.
Participants are also engaging directly with Uganda’s business ecosystem through business forums, sector deep-dives, networking sessions and site visits.
The programme includes visits to Zigoti Coffee Farm for the coffee value chain track, as well as JNL Industries, Roofings Uganda Limited and other businesses.
Equity Group Associate Director of Trade Relations Mahvish Malik said trade missions allow businesses to build relationships, explore new markets and identify areas for commercial collaboration.
She said Equity Group’s trade and investment missions are designed to move beyond discussions by creating direct connections between businesses, governments and markets.
The business forum also featured a panel discussion with government, industry, and private-sector experts who examined policies, market opportunities, and the enabling environment for trade and investment in Uganda.
Panellists included Georgina Mugerwa, Assistant Commissioner for Multilateral Trade; Dr Cosmas Mwikirize, Head of Industrial Value Chains Innovation; and Ronnie Mulongo, a private-sector founder, senior leader and project director.
The Uganda leg of the roadshow will conclude on September 16, with delegates travelling from Entebbe to Kigali, Rwanda, where the programme will continue.