Tayebwa Urges Infrastructure Investment to Drive Mineral Value Addition

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has strongly advocated for increased investment in vital sectors such as energy infrastructure, transport networks, skills development, and accessible financing. Speaking at the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels, Belgium, he noted that African nations must shift away from exporting raw materials and instead establish domestic processing industries.

Tayebwa highlighted that while global demand for critical minerals is surging, many resource-rich nations struggle with a lack of proper infrastructure and technical expertise. Reliable power supplies, efficient transport links, and a skilled workforce are critical requirements for countries aiming to engage in higher-value production stages that create jobs, boost exports, and increase state revenue.

Uganda’s mineral sector holds substantial potential for this kind of economic transformation. The country boasts rich deposits of gold, iron ore, cobalt, lithium, tin, tungsten, graphite, and rare earth elements. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Statistical Abstract 2025, mineral production values rose by 15.1 percent to Shs329.55 billion in 2024, up from Shs286.28 billion in 2023. Iron ore and limestone led these domestic figures, while Ministry of Finance trade records showed gold export earnings climbing significantly from approximately US$2.31 billion in 2023 to US$3.48 billion in 2024.

Despite these impressive figures, Tayebwa underscored that the core objective must be capturing greater economic value locally rather than relying on unprocessed exports. Processing minerals domestically can spark growth in refining, metallurgy, and manufacturing. However, this demands a steady and substantial power supply alongside improved roads and railways to slash transport costs and enhance international competitiveness.

Furthermore, Tayebwa called for robust partnerships between OACPS members and the European Union to mobilize funds and facilitate technology transfer. He stressed that international cooperation should deliver tangible benefits like local employment, business opportunities, and stronger national revenues. Read the original report on Nile Post.