KAMPALA, Uganda — As Uganda faces mounting challenges in food security, nutrition, and poverty reduction, the country is gearing up to host the Uganda Agrifood Systems Investment and Financing Conference on June 24–25, 2025.
The high-level event, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) with support from the African Agribusiness Incubators Network(AAIN), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners like Office of the Prime Minister, National Planning Authority, Care, Agra, Food Rights alliance, Uganda industrial research institute aims to drive transformative investment into Uganda’s agrifood systems.
With a population nearing 46 million, Uganda’s agrifood sector sits at the heart of its economy, contributing 24% to GDP, accounting for 33% of exports, and employing over 70% of the population. Yet, despite this pivotal role, over 12 million Ugandans remain food insecure, and more than 34% are undernourished, according to the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI) report.
The Conference is set against the backdrop of Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV, 2025/26–2029/30), which prioritizes agrifood system transformation as a pathway for inclusive economic growth, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development. Uganda’s commitment to agrifood systems reform has already been evidenced by its participation in the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, the African Union’s 2025 CAADP Summit, and the subsequent Kampala Declaration on resilient agrifood systems.
Bridging the Funding Gap
Despite strong political will, significant financing shortfalls and policy misalignments continue to hinder the sector’s transformation. The Conference will emphasize systems-based investment approaches, promoting financial flows that deliver on multiple fronts—nutrition, environmental sustainability, equity, and economic growth.
Aims and Objectives
The conference will bring together stakeholders from government, private sector, development partners, civil society, and research institutions. Key objectives include:
- Showcasing Uganda’s agrifood potential to attract investors to high-impact value chains.
- Building consensus on priority interventions and funding needs under NDP IV.
- Exploring innovative financing to close critical funding gaps.
- Strengthening partnerships for coordinated action.
- Presenting tangible investment opportunities in key agricultural sectors.
Participants will also engage in thematic sessions on climate-smart agriculture, digital innovation, agro-industrialization, and food systems governance. Investment-ready projects across value chains such as coffee, maize, dairy, horticulture, and fish farming are expected to be spotlighted.
Pathway to the SDGs
Uganda’s progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2—No Poverty and Zero Hunger—is closely tied to its success in transforming its agrifood systems. The upcoming conference is envisioned as a turning point in this journey.
The Uganda Agrifood Systems Investment and Financing Conference promises to set the stage for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient agricultural transformation, putting the country on track to meet its development aspirations.
