Speaker Oboth Urges African Lawmakers to Prioritize Value Addition for Economic Independence

Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth has challenged African legislators to actively push for value addition instead of exporting raw materials. He emphasized that the continent cannot attain true economic sovereignty while manufacturing, processing, and profits continue to accumulate outside Africa.

Speaking while officially opening the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Capacity Development Seminar at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe, Oboth noted that Africa’s true tragedy is not a lack of wealth, but the failure to transform that wealth into broad prosperity. The seminar, scheduled from November 9 to 13, 2026, runs under the theme, ‘From Extraction to Transformation: Parliamentary Leadership in Securing Africa’s Resource Wealth for Sustainable Development’.

Oboth urged parliamentarians to leverage their legislative, budgetary, and oversight responsibilities to ensure accountability in managing natural resources. He stressed the need for lawmakers to thoroughly scrutinize extraction contracts, enforce local content laws, and seal loopholes that enable illicit financial flows.

Highlighting Uganda’s ongoing initiatives under President Yoweri Museveni, the Speaker pointed to government efforts aimed at promoting local processing for agricultural commodities like coffee, maize, and cocoa. He also mentioned restrictions on exporting raw minerals alongside strengthening local content rules within the oil and gas sector.

Adding her voice to the discussion, CPA Uganda Branch Chairperson Hon. Naome Kabasharira pointed out that natural resources alone do not automatically translate into improved livelihoods for citizens. She highlighted the persistent threats posed by illicit financial flows and aggressive tax avoidance, which routinely deprive governments of essential revenues needed for healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

The regional capacity development seminar has brought together various legislators from countries including South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, and host nation Uganda.

Read more details on the Parliament of Uganda.