Uganda and Somalia to Hold Joint Business Forum and Mid-term Review in Mogadishu

Mogadishu will host a significant joint event from October 20th to 23rd, bringing together Ugandan and Somali officials and business leaders. The gathering includes a mid-term review of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) and a dedicated business forum with a joint exhibition. This event aims to evaluate progress on commitments made by both nations and to foster stronger economic ties.

The JPC mid-term review follows a successful second session held in Kampala in October 2025, where agreements on security, education, and immigration were signed. This upcoming meeting in Mogadishu is crucial for assessing the implementation of these pacts and preparing for the third full JPC session scheduled for 2027.

The business forum, themed “Harnessing Trade, Tourism and Investment Opportunities between both Countries and beyond,” seeks to translate diplomatic relations into tangible commercial outcomes. It will provide a platform for government officials, industry representatives, and development partners to engage in discussions, forge partnerships, and explore investment prospects.

Historically, Uganda-Somalia relations have been heavily influenced by security cooperation, with Uganda playing a significant role in African Union peacekeeping missions. However, there is a growing emphasis on diversifying this relationship to include robust commercial engagement. Somalia’s recent entry into the East African Community in 2024 further enhances the potential for regional trade.

Trade figures indicate a growing trend, with Uganda’s exports to Somalia more than doubling from $2.75 million in 2023 to $6.78 million in 2024, primarily driven by tobacco, aircraft parts, and wood products. While trade from Somalia to Uganda remains minimal, the forum aims to create a more balanced trade environment.

Key sectors for discussion and potential collaboration include agro-industrialization, coffee and tea, tourism, healthcare, and industrial supplies. Somali buyers are particularly interested in Ugandan agricultural products, processed goods, and pharmaceuticals, alongside opportunities in the oil, gas, and higher education sectors. The event will feature ministerial addresses, policy discussions, business-to-business matchmaking, and an exhibition to facilitate these objectives.

Source: Nile Post