By Kabuye Ronald
Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Director General Robert Mukiza has revealed that French companies have committed more than $4 billion in investments to Uganda since 2021, making France the largest European source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country,
Mukiza said the strong investment relationship between Uganda and France had not been matched by the volume of bilateral trade, presenting an opportunity for businesses in both countries to deepen commercial ties.
“Since 2021, French companies have been the single largest source of foreign direct investment into Uganda, with more than $4 billion in commitments,” Mukiza said.
He made the remarks during the launch of the second edition of French Week 2026, organised by the French Chamber of Commerce in Uganda (FCCU).
The event will bring together businesses, investors, government agencies and development partners to explore opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
About 40 French companies currently operate in Uganda across sectors including energy, logistics, infrastructure, transport, engineering and services.
Despite the strong investment relationship, Mukiza said trade between the two countries remained relatively modest.
In 2025, French exports to Uganda were estimated at €47.7 million, while Uganda’s exports to France stood at about €35.9 million, bringing total bilateral trade to approximately €84 million.
“For two economies with such a strong investment relationship, this figure should be several times higher,” Mukiza said. “Bridging the gap between our investment and trade relationships is the opportunity we are here to explore.”
UIA has identified agro-industry, green energy, water and sanitation, and digital and financial services as priority areas for increased French investment.
In agriculture, Mukiza urged French investors to move beyond the export of raw commodities such as coffee and instead invest in roasting, processing, packaging, cold-chain infrastructure and traceability.
He said such investments would help Uganda develop more competitive and compliant supply chains, including systems that meet emerging requirements for deforestation-free agricultural products.
Green energy is another area where Uganda is seeking French capital and expertise.
Mukiza said Uganda’s electricity generation is almost entirely based on renewable sources, creating opportunities in transmission and distribution, mini-grids, energy storage, electric mobility, clean cooking and carbon projects under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
He also identified water, waste management and sanitation as areas where French companies could expand on the existing involvement of French development finance institutions in Uganda.
Digital and financial services, he added, offer another area for growth as the use of digital payments continues to expand in Uganda.
French Week 2026 is being held under the theme “Green Transformation,” with its economic forum focusing on “Green Energy, Decarbonisation & Digital Finance in Agricultural Sustainability.”
The economic forum is scheduled for September 22 at the Uganda Business Facilitation Centre in Kampala, while a networking event will be held on September 19 at the Uganda Golf Course.
FCCU President Bertrand Hertzog said stronger partnerships between French and Ugandan businesses would be critical to translating the existing investment and commercial relationships into sustainable economic growth.
Established in 2024, FCCU has sought to connect French and Ugandan businesses while promoting trade, investment and shared development.
The 2026 edition comes as Uganda seeks to attract more private capital into value addition, renewable energy and digital infrastructure while expanding its export base.
The organisers say the forum will provide an opportunity for businesses from both countries to explore ways of strengthening trade, investment and partnerships, particularly in sectors linked to sustainable development and economic transformation.
