Premier entry point for Vietnamese enterprises into Africa

The event was jointly organized by the High Commission of Uganda in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

The event is part of the "The Pearl of Africa – Uganda Business Forum & Expo Viet Nam Chapter", seeks to deepen Viet Nam-Uganda bilateral relations and position Uganda as the premier entry point for Vietnamese enterprises into Africa.

In his opening remarks, VCCI Vice Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh emphasized that the strong participation of business representatives from both countries at the forum was a clear testament to the growing interest of the business communities in strengthening investment cooperation between Viet Nam and Uganda.

The forum is not only a platform for sharing market information but also an opportunity to promote business connections, build cooperative and partnership relations, and open up new opportunities for businesses from both countries, he noted.

Noting that Viet Nam-Uganda economic cooperation remains modest compared with its potential, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan recommended that the relevant authorities of the two countries closely coordinate to support businesses in accessing market information, cooperation opportunities, lists of priority products, and each other's investment policies and business environments.

Uganda's Ambassador to Viet Nam Betty Bigombe said, the forum is a platform to translate the longstanding friendship between Uganda and Viet Nam into tangible trade and investment.

"With Viet Nam's industrial expertise and Uganda's resources, cheap labor and access to African markets, we have a unique opportunity to forge partnerships that create jobs and shared prosperity", she shared.

Uganda and Viet Nam established diplomatic relations in 1973. Bilateral trade between Uganda and Vietnam remains modest yet it is expanding rapidly, signaling strong potential for growth. In 2024, total trade stood at US$22.1 million, and by 2025 it had grown more than fourfold to approximately US$95.47 million.

On investment, Viet Nam has pledged approximately US$40 million in Uganda, focused largely on mining and construction.

A central feature will be targeted business-to-business and government-to-business matchmaking, networking sessions, and site visits. Policy dialogue will address regulatory alignment, including negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty and a double taxation agreement.

The forum in Ha Noi featured panel discussions on doing business in Uganda, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Asian enterprises, and agro-industrialization and value addition.

Over 300 participants joined the event, including government delegations from Uganda and Viet Nam, CEOs and investors from leading Vietnamese conglomerates, members of the Ugandan private sector and diaspora, SMEs, financial institutions, and development partners./.