German Envoy to Champion Uganda's Investor Portal Among German Businesses

Newly appointed German Ambassador to Uganda, Sigrid Sommer, has committed to actively promote Uganda’s Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP) to businesses in Germany. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen economic ties and encourage greater investment from Germany into Uganda.

Ambassador Sommer made this pledge during a recent visit to the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) in Kampala. Discussions at SHIPU, which included officials from the National Planning Authority (NPA) and the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority (UFZEPA), centered on enhancing investor protection, diversifying Uganda’s export base, and identifying specific investment opportunities for German firms.

Col. Edith Nakalema, head of SHIPU, highlighted the unit’s role in dismantling bureaucratic obstacles that can hinder investment. She introduced the EIPP, an online platform launched by President Yoweri Museveni, which allows investors to conduct due diligence and access information from various government bodies seamlessly. The portal has already received continental recognition, prompting Nakalema to request the German Embassy’s assistance in its promotion.

Discussions also touched upon Uganda’s strategic importance as a trading partner for Germany, with a call to move beyond primary commodity exports towards value-added goods. Proposals included creating a joint export and investment action plan to increase bilateral trade and leverage Uganda’s position within the East African Community.

Investment opportunities were highlighted across sectors such as agriculture, tourism, minerals, and manufacturing, with specific mention of the automotive sector and the potential for partnerships with German companies, referencing Uganda’s Kiira vehicle assembly plant. Ambassador Sommer acknowledged the existing cooperation in areas like energy and water, and noted upcoming business forums that will further facilitate engagement.

“I would like to congratulate you on this tool, the EIPP. I think this is really addressing the key challenge in doing business,” Sommer stated, affirming her intention to share the portal details with German stakeholders to facilitate investment. This collaboration is crucial as Uganda seeks to attract more foreign direct investment and expand its trade with Germany, focusing on value addition and market access.

Source: Nile Post