President Yoweri Museveni has officially launched Uganda’s first formal export of products to West Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA).
AFCTA Signed in 2018 by Uganda and 44 other nations, aims to foster economic integration and facilitate trade across the continent.
Speaking about the milestorm, Museveni expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and his administration for their cooperation in opening Nigerian airspace to Ugandan flights and paving the way for the acceptance of Ugandan products in West African markets.
“This day is one of the key fulfillments of the Pan-Africanism principle and utilises a major tool of trade to quicken social and economic change,” Museveni said.
The first exports to the Nigerian market under AFCTA will be dairy products, coffee, fish, pharmaceuticals, and tea, signaling Uganda’s commitment to delivering high-quality goods and expanding its market reach.
Museveni in addition, commended efforts to improve product standards, conduct market research, and add value to key exports, such as coffee and dairy, which are vital to Uganda’s economy.
“Finally, I thank everyone working hard to improve our market standing, from improving our standards to market research and penetration to adding value to our coffee, dairy, etc,” he added.
This milestone marks a significant step in Uganda’s trade journey, reinforcing its role in shaping a united and prosperous African continent. Uganda has long been recognised for its high-quality agricultural and industrial products, but limited access to continental markets hindered their reach.
With AFCTA now in effect, Ugandan products like dairy, coffee, fish, pharmaceuticals, and tea are set to make their debut in Nigerian markets, marking a pivotal step in unlocking the country’s trade potential.