Equity Bank trade mission gets underway in Kampala as bank seeks to boost local investment and open markets for Ugandan MSMEs

May 22, 2025 in Business, Companies, Finance, Investment, Trade & Industry by Editor

Equity Bank Uganda has kicked off a two-day trade and investment mission in Kampala, bringing together over 40 international investors in a strategic effort to stimulate local investment and unlock new market opportunities for Ugandan micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The investors—drawn from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe—arrived in Uganda on Wednesday evening after participating in a similar mission in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Tanzania. The mission is part of the broader Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP) by Equity Group Holdings, aimed at enhancing cross-border trade, strengthening regional value chains, and accelerating economic recovery across the continent.

“This mission is a strategic effort to unlock the enormous potential that exists in Tanzania and Uganda by connecting global capital to local opportunities,” said Dr. James Mwangi, Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group. “Our goal is to catalyze investment and trade that delivers lasting impact by creating jobs, enhancing value chains, and driving inclusive economic growth.”

The Kampala mission features a blend of B2B networking, panel discussions, business forums, and government engagement, with delegates exploring investment prospects in agribusiness, energy, tourism, infrastructure, manufacturing, and financial services. Special attention is being paid to high-potential sectors such as value addition, dairy processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, and agri-tech.

Spotlight on Tambiisa Uganda Limited

Day One of the mission included field visits to local businesses, with a key stop at Tambiisa Uganda Limited in Lugga Zone, Ndejje Division, Wakiso District. The company, founded in 2009, has grown into one of Uganda’s top two vanilla exporters—thanks in part to working capital provided by Equity Bank Uganda.

During the visit, Tambiisa CEO Mr. Isa Tamale gave the delegation a guided tour of the company’s modern vanilla processing facility. Tambiisa sources high-quality vanilla from over 8,000 farmers across 38 districts in Uganda and exports to global markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, South Africa, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

The company currently employs 25 permanent staff and over 340 casual labourers, demonstrating the potential of agro-based enterprises to drive employment and exports with the right financial backing and market access.

Equity Group’s ongoing trade missions—including previous engagements in the DRC, Vietnam, and India—have helped mobilize billions in investment and advanced regional integration under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Through a formal partnership with the East African Community (EAC), the Group is supporting efforts to create a unified East African market.

As part of the ARRP, Equity is redirecting funds equivalent to 2% of the region’s GDP toward private sector development, targeting priority value chains in agriculture, MSMEs, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The goal is to reach 100 million people and create 50 million jobs across Africa by 2030.