Uganda's economy is anchored by agriculture, which employs over 70 percent of the population and generates the bulk of export earnings through coffee, tea, fish, vanilla, and other crops. The country exported a record 6.85 million bags of coffee in 2022/23, establishing itself as East Africa's largest and Africa's second-largest coffee exporter. Oil production from the Albertine Graben oilfields in western Uganda, developed by TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and the Uganda National Oil Company, is expected to begin in 2025, with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline carrying oil to Tanzania's Tanga port for export.
Infrastructure and Trade Corridors
Uganda's landlocked status means all external trade flows through corridor infrastructure. The Northern Corridor through Kenya and the Central Corridor through Tanzania are both vital. The Standard Gauge Railway extension from Kenya to Uganda, if financed, would transform freight economics on the Northern Corridor. Kampala's financial centre is East Africa's third-largest banking hub. Businesses entering the Ugandan market or sourcing Ugandan agricultural products can access market intelligence and partner contacts on intra-africa.com.
For businesses looking to expand across Africa, intra-africa.com offers a comprehensive trade directory, verified buyer and seller listings, and real-time market intelligence covering all 54 African nations. It remains an indispensable resource for anyone serious about intra-African commerce.