KAMPALA, UGANDA — Uganda’s push to add value to its agricultural and manufactured products has taken centre stage as more than 150 investors and business leaders from 10 countries toured local enterprises under Equity Group’s 2026 Uganda Trade and Investment Roadshow.
The investors visited Zigoti Coffee Works Limited, Roofings Limited and RZ Innovations Limited on Tuesday, 15th September, following the official launch of the roadshow at the Marriott Hotel in Kampala a day earlier.
The visits gave investors an opportunity to assess how financing, technology and regional market access can help Ugandan businesses move beyond exporting raw commodities and expand local production.
At Zigoti Coffee Works, a third-generation coffee business established in 1984, discussions centred on financing processing equipment, working capital and support for smallholder farmers.
The company, which became Uganda’s first licensed private coffee exporter following the liberalisation of the coffee sector, is investing in wet processing and specialty coffee in a bid to increase the value of its exports.
Charles Roscoe Nsubuga, Chairman of Zigoti Coffee Works, said access to long-term financing is critical for local exporters seeking to compete in international markets.
Discussions also explored financing packages that would enable smallholder farmers to purchase agricultural inputs, with repayment linked to proceeds from coffee sales.
Zigoti is also seeking to expand its regional distribution network, including opportunities in markets such as South Sudan.
Irene Irungu, Senior Manager of Trade Relations at Equity Group, said the roadshow was designed to connect African producers directly with buyers and markets across the continent.
She said the initiative was driven by demand from Equity customers seeking opportunities to explore markets in different parts of Africa and establish direct trading relationships.
At RZ Innovations and its parent company, Royikems Industries, delegates were introduced to another example of Uganda’s growing value-addition sector.
The company began as a motorcycle spare-parts business in 2005 before expanding into manufacturing motorcycle tyres, inner tubes and brake shoes.
Today, the company employs about 650 people and supplies products to markets across East and Central Africa.
RZ Innovations is also investing in circular manufacturing by recycling scrap aluminium and rubber for use in its production processes.
However, company management highlighted several challenges facing manufacturers, including high production costs, foreign exchange fluctuations, logistics constraints and unreliable electricity supply.
Mark Ssempijja, General Manager of RZ Innovations, said unstable electricity remains a major challenge for the factory, particularly because some of its machinery requires a reliable power supply.
The company has also invested in improving its access road to reduce dust and protect production quality.
During the visit, investors discussed commercial solar power as one possible solution for manufacturers seeking greater energy reliability while controlling operating costs.
The engagements at the companies highlighted the financing needs of Ugandan businesses seeking to expand production, process raw materials locally and access regional markets.
For Equity Group, the roadshow is intended to create direct connections between businesses, investors, buyers and financial institutions.
The initiative also seeks to support intra-African trade by helping Ugandan businesses identify new markets, investment opportunities and partnerships beyond the domestic economy.
The site visits demonstrated how financing, value addition and access to regional markets can help local businesses move further up the production chain.
As Uganda seeks to increase exports and retain more value from its agricultural and industrial output, enterprises such as Zigoti Coffee Works and RZ Innovations are positioning local production as a pathway to wider regional markets.
