Uganda woos Chinese investors with attractive manufacturing opportunities

In a significant effort to boost foreign direct investment in Uganda’s manufacturing sector, Evelyn Anite, the Minister of State for Privatization and Investment, made a compelling case to investors during a high-profile conference in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.

Anite outlined Uganda’s ambitious vision to become Africa’s leading manufacturing hub, highlighting the country’s strategic location within East Africa and its duty-free access to key markets such as the European Union, the United States, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Uganda is ideally positioned for manufacturing investment, with our strategic location, favorable trade agreements, and an open, welcoming investment climate,” Anite told the gathering of key figures from China’s manufacturing industry.

The minister emphasized that Uganda’s investment-friendly environment—featuring tax incentives, expedited approval processes, and established industrial parks—offers an excellent opportunity for Chinese manufacturers aiming to expand into the African market. Currently, Uganda’s manufacturing sector contributes 15% to the country’s GDP, with the government targeting to double this contribution by 2030.

Anite also highlighted Uganda’s large and affordable labor force, competitive energy prices, and a growing consumer base, which together create an optimal environment for large-scale production.

For Chinese investors, Uganda offers not just low production costs but also direct access to over 1.2 billion consumers across Africa and beyond, thanks to its trade agreements.

“Chinese industrialists have a significant role to play in Africa’s industrialization, with substantial returns on their investment,” Anite said in an interview.

The Ugandan government has identified specific zones for Chinese manufacturers, focusing on sectors such as agro-processing, textiles, and electronics manufacturing. These investments are expected to create thousands of jobs and foster technology transfer.

Chinese companies investing in Uganda can benefit from long-term tax holidays, low-cost land leases, and government-backed guarantees for infrastructure development, making Uganda an attractive destination for global investors.