Uganda to Host Pan African Congress Business Forum
- The even aims to boost Uganda's exports to the US.
- The PACBF will bring together business and government leaders from East Africa, multinational agencies, financial institutions, and experts across various sectors.
The Pan African Congress Business Forum (PACBF) will be held from October 6th to 12th, 2024, at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala.
This key event, hosted by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) in partnership with the Africa Global Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) and private sector representatives from Uganda and the United States, aims to boost Uganda's exports to the US.
Under the theme “A Diaspora Homecoming: Navigating the Next 100 Years,” the forum draws inspiration from historical Pan-African congresses, positioning Africa’s diaspora as crucial to economic growth over the next century.
The event will explore how cross-Atlantic regulatory frameworks can enhance engagements with multinational corporations and strengthen ties with the African-American diaspora.
In line with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 2007 statement about Africa’s future potential, the PACBF will bring together business and government leaders from East Africa, multinational agencies, financial institutions, and experts across various sectors.
This will provide a significant platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, focusing on identifying products in demand in US markets and exploring sales and distribution opportunities.
PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo emphasizes that the forum will not only highlight Uganda’s export potential but also advance discussions on strengthening trade relations between Uganda and the United States.
It is also a crucial step for Uganda's global positioning and efforts to re-enter the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program.
The forum will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, offering insights into market trends, consumer preferences, and US regulatory requirements.
Attendees will hear from influential African decision-makers in fields such as infrastructure, development finance, and regional integration.
American participants will also have the chance to explore Uganda’s tourism, trade, and investment opportunities, including visits to UNESCO sites like Kasubi Tombs and Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, as well as Mweya Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park, and other notable locations.
The event underscores the need for increased private sector engagement, as Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa between 2000 and 2022 surpassed USD 219 billion, while cumulative US direct investment into Africa remained below USD 47 billion.
In 2023, Uganda imported goods worth USD 186 million from the US and exported goods valued at USD 74.1 million. Major exports include coffee, vanilla, casein, Nile Perch, cocoa beans, and oils.