Uganda Set to Host East African Digital Summit to Spur Trade and Innovation

Uganda is poised to host the inaugural East African Digital and Trade Transformation Summit, a move strongly supported by the government. The event, proposed by Heritage Times Africa, is expected to significantly boost regional integration, encourage digital innovation, and expand trade and investment prospects across East Africa.

Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, highlighted that the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) framework already facilitates the free movement of labor, services, and capital. The summit will provide a platform for governments, businesses, tech companies, and development partners to explore these digital transformation and trade opportunities further.

“The protocol under COMESA allows for the free movement of labour, services and capital across member states. We have also been working on the mutual recognition of academic qualifications within the region,” stated Kadaga. This initiative aims to enable cross-border employment of skilled professionals, benefiting countries like Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kadaga also welcomed the plan to establish the Patrick Centre, envisioned as a digital hub to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Government officials, including the Minister of State for Trade and the Minister of ICT, confirmed that the proposed summit aligns perfectly with Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), which emphasizes industrialization, tourism, mineral development, and science and technology.

Officials pointed to Uganda’s robust digital infrastructure, young and dynamic population, and growing electricity capacity as key assets for hosting such regional platforms. The summit, slated for November, will focus on emerging sectors like technology, fintech, e-commerce, the creative economy, and oil and gas. Heritage Times Africa also plans to launch an East African Digital Hub and an East African Trade Centre in Uganda, focusing on youth skills development, innovation, and connecting businesses to wider markets.

Source: Nile Post