Uganda and Rwanda are seeking to deepen commercial ties as Equity Group brings together business leaders, investors, policymakers and private-sector players to explore new opportunities for trade, investment and partnerships across East Africa.The 2026 Uganda-Rwanda Trade and Investment Roadshow has attracted more than 150 participants from 10 nationalities, creating a platform for businesses to connect with potential investors, financial institutions, markets, technology providers and strategic partners.
Uganda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna, urged investors and businesses to focus more on value addition, manufacturing, innovation and skills development, saying these areas are important in driving the country’s economic transformation.Tanna also called on Equity Bank to strengthen its support for micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly businesses operating outside major urban centres. He encouraged the bank to expand financial literacy, bookkeeping support and access to finance and markets for small businesses.He said the government is prepared to work with financial institutions to remove barriers that limit investment, reduce the cost of capital and create conditions that allow businesses to expand, generate employment and contribute more to the economy.
Equity Bank Uganda Executive Director Claver Serumaga said the roadshow is designed to go beyond traditional financing by helping businesses access markets, technology and partnerships that can enable them to expand beyond Uganda and compete across the region.Serumaga said Uganda has significant opportunities but needs stronger connections between businesses and the capital, markets, technology and partnerships required to turn those opportunities into sustainable growth.
The programme is focusing on sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, trade and the coffee value chain.The roadshow also includes a Uganda Coffee Value Chain Roundtable featuring major industry players such as Neumann Kaffee Gruppe and Volcafe, alongside networking sessions and business visits to Zigoti Coffee Farm, JNL Industries and Roofings Uganda Limited. The Uganda leg is scheduled to conclude on September 16, after which participants will travel from Entebbe to Kigali for the Rwanda programme.
