Casablanca, Morocco – The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has called for increased investment, technology transfer and strategic partnerships to accelerate Uganda’s industrialisation and value-addition agenda.
Hon. Babalanda made the call today while addressing delegates at the Industrial Transformation Africa (ITAF) 2026, a premier continental platform being held in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco. The forum brings together technology providers, industrial companies, investors, buyers and policymakers from North and Sub-Saharan Africa to explore practical solutions for modernising Africa’s production capacity.
In her address, the Minister conveyed warm greetings from H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, to the organisers, participants and stakeholders attending the forum.
Hon. Babalanda reaffirmed that Uganda is open to investors and technology partners who can help transform its abundant raw materials into higher-value products, expand local manufacturing, create jobs and drive technology-led economic transformation.
She emphasised the need for Africa to deliberately shift from exporting largely unprocessed commodities towards value addition, manufacturing and production of finished and semi-finished goods, in line with President Museveni’s vision for Uganda’s economic transformation.
“Value addition remains central to Uganda’s transformation. Processing agricultural and mineral resources locally and producing finished and semi-finished goods generates greater economic returns than exporting raw materials,” Hon. Babalanda said.
She noted that Uganda offers significant investment opportunities in agro-processing and agricultural value chains, coffee, pharmaceuticals, building materials, mineral beneficiation, oil and gas-related industries, machinery and equipment, renewable energy, energy-efficient technologies, ICT and digital services.
The Minister encouraged investors and industrial partners to establish productive capacity and forge long-term partnerships in Uganda, stressing that sustainable industrialisation requires not only capital but also technology, skills, innovation and knowledge transfer.
She underscored the importance of industrial digitalisation, automation, mechanisation and modern production technologies in improving productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, adding that such partnerships must be accompanied by skills development to enable Ugandan workers and enterprises to operate, maintain and benefit from modern industrial systems.
Hon. Babalanda also highlighted the need to accelerate agricultural mechanisation and move beyond predominantly traditional farming methods, noting that increased productivity strengthens agro-processing, improves household incomes and provides a reliable raw-material base for manufacturing.
She said opportunities abound in food processing, agricultural technologies, irrigation, storage, packaging, mineral beneficiation, energy, pharmaceuticals and digital services.
The Minister observed that ITAF provides an important platform for Uganda to engage investors, technology providers and African partners in identifying practical opportunities for industrial cooperation, technology transfer and access to regional and continental markets.
She described Uganda’s young and growing population as an important economic asset when supported with appropriate skills, productive employment and industries capable of creating sustainable opportunities. She urged investors to consider Uganda’s growing domestic market, strategic location in East Africa, rich agricultural and mineral resources, expanding industrial base and potential for value addition.
Hon. Babalanda reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to building a modern, productive and competitive economy through industrial transformation, with focus on attracting investment, technology, skills and manufacturing capacity to accelerate value addition, create employment, strengthen local production and enhance Uganda’s participation in regional and continental value chains.
She called upon investors, technology providers and industrial partners to explore the vast opportunities available in Uganda and become partners in the country’s journey towards industrialisation, value addition and sustainable economic transformation.
