The State Minister for Trade, Gen Wilson Mbadi, has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to driving Africa’s industrialisation agenda, noting that President Yoweri Museveni has championed the cause since 1986.

Speaking at the Africa Industrial Week held at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Thursday, 20th November 2025, Gen Mbadi told delegates that the commemoration was not merely symbolic but a moment to define new strategies for industrial growth.

“As we commemorate here at the Pearl of Africa, we are not merely commemorating an event but to collectively chart a new course of action to guide the continent’s industrialization landscape,” he said.

Held  under the theme; “Transforming Africa’s Economy Through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration and Innovation,” the event reflected a united continental effort to accelerate industrial transformation.

“The theme stands as a statement for our collective resolve to accelerate Africa’s transformation in Uganda and Africa,” he noted.

However, according to him, intra-African trade remains low attributed to Africa’s minimal contribution to global value-added production, standing at only 2 percent.

“Trade between African countries currently only makes up 15 percent of total trade. For the Eastern African region, it’s 20 percent, the EU 65 percent, and SADC 46 percent,” he said.

He attributed the gradual improvement in regional trade to initiatives such as regional economic blocs, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reduction of non-tariff barriers, and decreased exportation of unprocessed raw materials.

With its vast natural endowments, including minerals, rare earth metals, agricultural commodities, rich biodiversity, and a consumer market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of USD 3.4 trillion, Gen. Mbadi said Africa is well positioned for industrial transformation.

“If we take advantage of all this, together we can propel our trade and industry to new heights,” he said.

“Africa possesses all the prerequisites for industrial transformation if we continue to strengthen the enabling environment of policy frameworks and laws, stability, security, strengthening regulatory agencies, increasing investments in supportive connectivity infrastructure like roads, railways, energy, ICT, affordable capital, market access, eliminating non-tariff barriers, trading with each other, and harmonizing standards for seamless borders,” he added.

Gen Mbadi, called for sustained and coordinated implementation of these measures to fully realise the continent’s industrial potential.

Speaking at the same event, the Secretary General for pan African Women’s organization (PAWO) Grace Kaboyo commended President Yoweri Museveni for always supporting women

‘’He has worked and in hand with the women from day one and that is why the gender parity was not a problem to respect and implement, ’’ she stated.

The gathering brought together over 40 countries with more than 450 participants, including 250 from Uganda. According to the minister, the event represented more than a ceremonial honour.

It signified “the country’s unwavering commitment to industrialization as the surest path to wealth creation, job creation and socio-economic transformation.”