Message from the Head of the Export Led Growth Strategy Unit
Uganda stands at an important stage in its journey towards export-led economic transformation. With a growing productive base, a dynamic private sector and significant opportunities across international markets, the country has the potential to substantially increase export earnings, create sustainable employment and strengthen its participation in global value chains.
Ms. Susan Muhwezi
Senior Presidential Advisor on Trade
Head, Export Led Growth Strategy Unit (ELGSU)
The Export Led Growth Strategy Unit (ELGSU) was established as a strategic government intervention to position Uganda to maximise opportunities arising from international trade and preferential market frameworks, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the European Union’s Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and other global market opportunities.
The establishment of ELGSU reflects Uganda’s commitment to advancing the principle of “Trade, Not Aid” by strengthening the capacity of the private sector to produce competitively, add value and access international markets.
The global trading environment is continuously evolving. Uganda’s loss of AGOA beneficiary status has highlighted the importance of building an export sector that is competitive, resilient and capable of accessing a broad range of markets. This calls for a deliberate focus on product quality, standards compliance, value addition, innovation, market intelligence, branding and the development of strong and reliable international business relationships.
ELGSU therefore serves as a strategic bridge between Uganda’s producers and exporters, government institutions, international markets and the wider global trading community. The Unit works to strengthen export readiness, facilitate access to market information, support private sector participation in international trade opportunities and coordinate efforts to address the barriers that limit Uganda’s export growth.
Uganda has considerable opportunities across sectors including coffee, cocoa, dairy, fish and fish products, fruits and nuts, oilseeds and pulses, floriculture, natural extracts, processed foods and other value-added products. Unlocking this potential requires moving beyond the export of raw commodities towards greater processing, innovation and value creation within Uganda.
Our focus is therefore not simply on increasing the volume of exports, but on increasing the value, quality, competitiveness and diversity of what Uganda exports.
ELGSU remains committed to working with the private sector, government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, industry associations, development partners, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for export growth.
We encourage Ugandan producers, manufacturers, exporters and investors to embrace the opportunities presented by international markets and to continually invest in quality, standards, value addition and market readiness.