THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

REMARKS BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COOPERATIVES

AT THE

OPENING OF THE AFRICA INDUSTRIALISATION WEEK

Theme: “Transforming Africa’s Economy Through Sustainable Industrialization, Reginal Integration and Innovation”

17th NOVEMBER, 2025

SPEKE RESORT, MUNYONYO.

Hon. Ministers Present;

Commissioners from the African Union Commission;

Development Partners;

Government officials present,

Delegates and Representatives from across Africa;

Our Industrialists and other private sector entrepreneurs;

Our colleagues from the Academia;

Members from Civil Society;

Our friends from the press;

All Invited guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning.

I am deeply honoured to welcome you to the Africa Industrialisation Week 2025. Your presence here is a testament to our shared commitment to Africa's economic transformation.

As you know, the Africa Industrialisation Day, conceived by the OAU and ratified by the UN in 1989, is a moment to highlight our progress, confront our challenges, and chart a decisive path forward

The theme for this year is clear: “Transforming Africa’s Economy Through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration and Innovation.”

This is not just a theme; it is a mandate for action. Sustainable industrialization demands a concerted and determined effort to remove the bottlenecks that hold us back. This means:

•Improving infrastructure.

•Enhancing access to finance.

•Promoting innovation.

•Creating a truly enabling regulatory environment.

Industrial facilitation—through policy reforms, public-private partnerships, technology transfer, and investment—is not optional; it is paramount to industrializing our continent.

This week is designed to be a dynamic platform for tangible progress. I urge you to actively engage in the diverse and critical events we have organized:

Event Focus and Impact

African Women in Processing Forum Highlighting the achievements of women entrepreneurs and connecting them directly with investors, buyers, and financial institutions.

African Youth Start-ups Forum Accelerating youth-led industrialization by focusing on deal-making, investor readiness, and B2B/B2G matchmaking across strategic sectors like healthcare, green-tech, and digital technologies.

Innovation Industry Enterprise Convention Connecting MSMEs and Cooperatives to the growing African industry and the continental market, culminating in a technical position paper on industrial innovation.

Africa Manufacturing Investment Forum (AMIF) A flagship event dedicated to stimulating investment in manufacturing by focusing on Physical Infrastructure, Workforce Skills Enhancement, and Investment Financing.

These are not just meetings; they are the engines of our industrial future. Network, share your experiences, and forge the partnerships that will drive our continent forward.

Please allow me to express our sincere gratitude to the partners who have made this week possible, The African Union Commission (AUC), Office of the President, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of ICT, Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), The UHURU Institute, African Women in Processing (AWIP), United Nations Association - Uganda (UNAU), Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotion Authority (UFZEPA), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), The Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Uganda Media Centre; among others.

Finally, I have two urgent calls to action:

First, to the Delegates: Please take time to visit the exhibition in the tent outside. It is a showcase of Africa-made industrial products and innovations. Engage with our entrepreneurs—you may find the next key contact to enhance your supply chain.

Second, to the AU Secretariat: I urge you to ensure that the outcome of this week is not just a summary, but a report with concrete proposals, clear pathways, and actionable roadmaps for synergistic industrial growth. African governments need this guidance to prioritize policies that attract investment, increase manufacturing value addition, and create jobs, especially for our growing youth population.

Let us network, collaborate, and learn from each other. Let us make this week a turning point for Africa's industrial future.

Thank you.

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY