Qingdao, China – Uganda has taken a major step toward strengthening agricultural trade and investment ties with China following the successful launch of the first-ever Uganda–Qingdao Agricultural Trade and Investment Conference, held on 10 December 2025 in Qingdao City, Shandong Province. The landmark forum was hosted by the Embassy of Uganda in Beijing in partnership with the Qingdao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Led by H.E. Ambassador Oliver Wonekha, the high-level Ugandan delegation brought together officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), and private-sector representatives. The conference provided a strategic platform to showcase Uganda’s stable investment climate, competitive incentives, and youthful, skilled labour force, positioning the country as a gateway to both the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In her keynote address, Amb. Wonekha reaffirmed Uganda’s status as one of Africa’s most stable and promising investment destinations. She emphasised the country’s readiness for transformative partnerships anchored in industrialization, technology transfer, investment financing, and trade facilitation. Highlighting Uganda’s sustained political stability, expanding manufacturing base, and vast agricultural resources, she noted that these strengths offer long-term opportunities for investors seeking growth in regional and continental markets. “Uganda presents exceptional opportunities in agricultural production, value addition, and manufacturing. We are here to connect with partners who recognise Uganda’s long-term potential,” she said.

Qingdao’s role as a center of excellence in modern agriculture, agritech, aquaculture, and agro-processing featured prominently in discussions. Speaking on behalf of Qingdao authorities, Mr. Cui Zuo, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Qingdao Municipal Committee and President of the Qingdao General Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the strong complementarity between Qingdao’s technological capabilities and Uganda’s agricultural endowments. He described Uganda as a natural partner for building resilient and mutually beneficial agricultural value chains.

Further reinforcing Uganda’s investment appeal, Mr. Fred Kakooza, Deputy Director General of the UIA One-Stop Centre, encouraged Chinese investors to consider Uganda as a base for large-scale agricultural and manufacturing ventures. He cited generous tax incentives, strong investor protections, and access to regional export markets as key advantages.

The conference aims to promote bilateral trade, attract Chinese investment into agriculture and agro-processing, facilitate technology transfer and capacity building, establish long-term value-chain partnerships, and position Uganda as a manufacturing and export hub for African markets.

Uganda presents exceptional opportunities in agricultural production, value addition, and manufacturing.