The second edition of the Uganda Economic Forum, held under the theme “Business Growth in the Post-COVID Era,” proved to be a vital platform for discussing critical issues surrounding business expansion. It covered a wide array of topics, including government strategies for fostering business growth, avenues for financing, digital transformation, and methods to empower small businesses. 

Over five days, the event was broadcast live on NBS TV, featuring panelists from diverse sectors sharing their insights on economic growth and transformation. 

Adu Rando, the Managing Director of Nile Breweries, highlighted the resilience of the beer sector and credited the government’s support for driving industrial growth post-COVID. He stressed the positive collaboration between the private sector and the government as a key factor behind the sector’s impressive progress. 

To inaugurate the Uganda Economic Forum, Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary for the Ugandan Ministry of Finance, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to facilitating business growth, regardless of the challenges posed by the pandemic. 

On Day 2, Onapito Ekomoloit, NBL Board Chairman, emphasized the significant role of women in the NBL farmers’ value chain, revealing that up to 40% of the contributors are women. He detailed how NBL has empowered women in agribusiness and strengthened the connection between farmers and end-users. 

Emmanuel Njuki, Legal and Corporate Affairs Lead at Nile Breweries raised concerns over the prevalence of illicit alcohol, accounting for nearly 65% of alcohol consumption in Uganda. He also discussed Nile Breweries Limited’s transformation of farming communities from subsistence to commercial agriculture, a significant contribution to the nation’s economic development. 

Notably, Nile Breweries Limited has led the Uganda Economic Forum for three consecutive years and expresses gratitude to its partners. These include the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Development Bank, and NBS Television. 

The event’s sessions covered various vital topics, including post-COVID business growth, opportunities for women in agriculture and access to financial credit, the role of domestic tourism in Uganda’s hospitality sector, IT, innovation, creative arts, and the continuing journey of post-COVID business growth.  

You can watch the full discussions for each day on their respective topics. 

DAY ONE: Growing businesses in the post-COVID era.

DAY TWO: The opportunities for women in the Agricultural sector and access to finance credit.

DAY THREE: The role of domestic tourism in the recovery of Uganda’s hospitality sector: change to untapped opportunities.

DAY FOUR: IT, Innovation, and Creative Art

DAY FIVE: Growing Businesses in the Post-COVID Era.