Uganda’s exports increased by 34% to $18.4 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, as the government intensifies efforts to attract foreign investment and expand manufacturing and agro-processing. Ramathan Ggoobi, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, announced the figures while presenting the country’s economic outlook at the Uganda Investment and Business Opportunities Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. According to the presentation, Uganda’s economy grew from $34.7 billion in 2019/20 to $69.3 billion in 2025/26. The government projects economic growth of 10.2% in the 2026/27 f

Uganda’s exports increased by 34% to $18.4 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, as the government intensifies efforts to attract foreign investment and expand manufacturing and agro-processing. Ramathan Ggoobi, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, announced the figures while presenting the country’s economic outlook at the Uganda Investment and Business Opportunities Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. According to the presentation, Uganda’s economy grew from $34.7 billion in 2019/20 to $69.3 billion in 2025/26. The government projects economic growth of 10.2% in the 2026/27 financial year, compared with 6.4% in the previous year. Uganda aims to build a $500 billion economy by 2040, with industrialisation, commercial oil production and increased household participation in the money economy identified as key drivers. Citing Harvard University’s Growth Lab, Ggoobi’s presentation indicated that Uganda had developed 31 new export products over 15 years, generating approximately $333 million annually. These include ceramic paving materials, veneer sheets, soybean residues, manufactured tobacco and wood fibreboard. Ceramic flags and pavers accounted for about 38% of the value of these new exports, followed by veneer sheets at 12.7% and soybean residues at approximately 10%. Uganda recorded the highest number of new export products among four East African countries compared in the presentation. Tanzania added 22 products, Kenya 15 and Rwanda 12. However, Tanzania earned more from its new products, generating $399 million annually, compared with Uganda’s $333 million, Kenya’s $260 million and Rwanda’s $33.9 million. At the Bangkok forum, Ggoobi identified agro-processing, sugar production, hospitality and light manufacturing as priority areas for Thai investors. He encouraged businesses to combine Thailand’s food-processing expertise with Uganda’s agricultural potential. The presentation also reported that tourism receipts reached $1.62 billion, while foreign direct investment totalled $3.7 billion in 2025. Uganda is prioritising infrastructure, industrial parks, renewable energy and irrigation to support business expansion. The government hopes stronger economic ties with Thailand will attract investment, create jobs, diversify exports and accelerate its ambition to become a $500 billion economy by 2040.

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