Kadaga Urges Ugandan SMEs to Expand Reach Through Regional Trade Fairs

Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, has called upon Ugandan small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to actively participate in regional trade fairs to broaden their market reach and business horizons. Speaking at the launch of the East African Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair in Kampala, Kadaga highlighted that these exhibitions are crucial platforms for Ugandan entrepreneurs to showcase locally manufactured products and secure clients across the East African Community (EAC).

Kadaga pointed to past successes, noting that previous trade fairs have resulted in tangible business gains for Ugandan exporters, with several securing significant orders. The upcoming 26th EAC Trade Fair, often referred to as the Jua Kali exhibition, is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, in October, anticipating approximately 350 exhibitors. The theme for this year’s event is “Advancing Regional Value Chains in Leather and Horticulture,” aiming to bolster sectors with high potential for economic growth and job creation within the EAC.

Robert Kabushenga, chairman of the Uganda Small Scale Entrepreneurs and Supply Association, echoed Kadaga’s sentiments, stating that many local businesses struggle to find markets for their finished goods. He emphasized that relying solely on the domestic market is insufficient and encouraged entrepreneurs to seek exposure for their brands and products internationally. Kabushenga, who has personally found clients in Kenya and South Sudan through participation in regional exhibitions since 2019, stressed the value of these events for identifying new markets, benchmarking products, and improving quality and packaging.

Bira Bbosa, chairperson of the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprise Organisations Uganda chapter, added that the annual exhibition, paused only by the Covid-19 pandemic, has historically been a fruitful endeavor. Uganda sent a substantial delegation of 305 exhibitors to the previous fair in Nairobi, Kenya, representing diverse sectors. The Kigali exhibition will offer opportunities for agro-processors, textile manufacturers, artisans, and cosmetic producers, among others. Entrepreneurs are urged to register by the October 9 deadline, with the government facilitating the transportation of goods to Rwanda. The event is poised to foster collaboration and market exploration among EAC entrepreneurs.

For more details on this initiative, please refer to the Daily Monitor.