The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has today, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, announced the first Pan African Congress Business Forum and Expo (PACBFE) is set to take place from October 8-12, 2024 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. The event is organized by PACEID in partnership with the Africa Global chamber of Commerce (AGCC), the private sector in Uganda and the United States, the event aims to enhance Uganda’s exports to the United States.

AGCC is led by Uganda’s Trade Representative in the United States.

Organized under the theme, “A Diaspora Homecoming: Navigating the Next 100 Years”, the event borrows from the historical Pan-African congresses to make a business case for Africa’s diaspora as the most pivotal economic growth agents over the next century. It further aims to leverage cross-Atlantic regulatory frameworks to strengthen engagements with multinational corporations and deepen partnerships with the African-American diaspora. On July 1, 2007, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said, “There is tremendous potential in Africa. Africa is a continent of the future. Just like India and China have become superpowers, in the next 25 years a lot of changes will have taken place.”

The event will be attended by business and government leaders from the East African region, plus the leading multinational agencies, financial institutions, experts in manufacturing, tourism, exports and trade from the rest of Africa. This will provide a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. The event will focus on identifying products and services in demand across US markets and exploring opportunities for sales and distribution.

PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo has reiterated the significance of accessing the US market for Uganda, citing it as the largest consumer market globally with a staggering $18 trillion economy. He emphasized the need to strengthen Uganda’s trade relations with the US, which in turn would help elevate Africa’s trade ties with the United States.

“This event will not only showcase the potential of Uganda’s exports to the United States but also facilitate discussions on how to further strengthen trade relations between the two countries. This is a platform where political, civil, and aid society leaders will converge to explore collaborative opportunities. Further, it will serve as a pivotal moment for Uganda’s global positioning, aimed at showcasing the country’s potential and capabilities to the world,” notes PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo.

Besides being a crucial step in strengthening Uganda’s ties across various sectors and supporting its efforts to re-enter the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program, the event presents a unique opportunity for Ugandan businesses to discover connection points with the African diaspora in America and African Americans to develop commercial and strategic export partnerships.

The forum and expo will feature panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, providing participants with valuable insights and opportunities to connect with key stakeholders in the industry. Attendees can expect to gain a deeper understanding of market trends, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements in the US market.

On the sidelines of the business forum, American participants will also visit what Uganda has to offer in terms of tourism, trade, and investment; UNESCO sites like Kasubi Tombs and the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Mweya Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park, Kira Motors factory, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Bujjagali falls and the Source of River Nile among others.

Present during the announcement were stakeholders from both the government and the private sector who expressed excitement in participating in this monumental business forum. Key among others were officials from the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda National Cultural Centre, Uganda Exim Limited, United Nations Development Program, East African Business Council, Adventure Consults Limited, Government Citizen Interaction Centre and the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development among others.

For more information about the Pan African Congress Business Forum and Expo, including registration details and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.paceid.org/pacbf.

PACEID was established to tackle the strategic and operational challenges that hinder Uganda’s capacity to maximize its industrial and export potential. By facilitating coordination among Ugandan exporters, producers, government institutions, and international stakeholders, PACEID strives to accelerate the nation’s export growth and industrial advancement.