Uganda and Vietnam are deepening their economic relationship as more than 300 government officials, business leaders, investors, researchers and development partners gathered in Hanoi for the Pearl of Africa Business Forum – Vietnam Chapter, opening new opportunities across trade, investment, agriculture, technology and manufacturing.
The forum provided a platform for Uganda to showcase its economic potential while encouraging Vietnamese companies to expand their presence in the country and use Uganda as a gateway to East Africa and the wider African Continental Free Trade Area market.
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Commercial ties between the two countries have been growing. Forum figures showed bilateral trade increasing from US$28.6 million in 2024 to US$53.4 million in 2025, while broader annual figures presented during the engagement put total trade at approximately US$95.47 million, including US$49.85 million in Ugandan exports to Vietnam and US$45.62 million in imports.
Vietnamese investment in Uganda was estimated at approximately US$40 million, with existing projects including Ba Dinh JSC’s US$35 million gold exploration investment and ATAD Steel’s construction-related investment of about US$500,000, alongside other Vietnamese commercial interests.
For Uganda, the Hanoi engagement is part of its broader economic and commercial diplomacy strategy, which seeks to attract investment, expand exports, increase local value addition and create stronger connections between Ugandan producers and international markets.
Uganda’s Agriculture Minister, Frank Tumwebaze, emphasized the importance of moving from agreements and dialogue toward practical partnerships that deliver results for businesses and producers. A key development was the signing of a Collaboration Agreement on Coffee Value Chain Development, creating a framework for cooperation in one of Uganda’s major export sectors.
The coffee agreement also opens possibilities for cooperation in agricultural mechanisation, agro-processing, livestock, fisheries, cold-chain systems, research and technology adaptation. These areas could help strengthen value addition and create new opportunities for Ugandan producers and businesses.
Digital cooperation is emerging as another area of potential growth. Uganda and Vietnam agreed to develop two practical ICT pilot proposals within 90 days, with areas under consideration including digital payments, agricultural traceability and business-process outsourcing.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Thailand, Betty Oyella Bigombe, presented the country as an investment destination and regional gateway, highlighting its young population, agricultural potential, natural resources and access to regional markets.
The forum also brought the private sector into the center of the relationship. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the importance of business matching and developing partnerships capable of producing practical commercial results.
Tourism added another dimension to the engagement, with Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kaggwa promoting the country through the message “Explore Uganda.” Uganda’s mountain gorillas, the Nile, the Rwenzori Mountains, wildlife and biodiversity were presented as assets with potential to strengthen tourism and people-to-people connections.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Anh Tuan said the economic relationship between the two countries still has significant room for growth, while emphasizing the importance of building a partnership based on equality, trust and mutual benefit.
The Hanoi forum therefore extended beyond traditional diplomatic engagement, connecting government, investors and businesses around practical areas of cooperation. Coffee, agriculture, ICT, tourism, manufacturing and investment are emerging as important channels through which Uganda and Vietnam can translate longstanding relations into commercial opportunities.
With the coffee collaboration agreement signed, ICT pilots in development and new investment and business links under discussion, Uganda is positioning its relationship with Vietnam around trade, production, technology and market access.
The next phase of the partnership will focus on turning these opportunities into investments, stronger value chains, new exports and greater connections between Ugandan businesses and international markets.