Financial experts convene in Kampala to discuss financing for agriculture

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Uganda may fall short of eliminating poverty and achieving a hunger-free nation by 2030, as envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets of ending hunger and poverty.

This is due to the continued presence of hunger and poverty across the country. According to the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI) report, over 34% of Uganda’s population remains undernourished, with more than 12 million people facing food insecurity.

While overall poverty levels have reduced from 20.3% to 16.1%, many households still live in extreme poverty. Eastern and Northern Uganda are particularly affected, with poverty levels standing at 22.9% and 26.8% respectively, highlighting an urgent need for transformative interventions in Uganda’s agrifood systems to drive sustainable growth and improve livelihoods.

These issues will inform discussions at a two-day investment summit on Investing and Financing Agrifood Systems Transformation, which begins Tuesday, June 24, at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute in Namanve.

The summit will highlight the country’s comparative advantages and opportunities within the agrifood sector to attract investments that support transformation and inclusive growth. Key discussion points will include:

Exploring innovative financing mechanisms to bridge agrifood system funding gaps, including both domestic and international financing options and instruments that can effectively address the resource constraints hindering sustainable agrifood system transformation;

Strengthening partnerships among government, the private sector, development partners, and civil society to ensure aligned and harmonised actions;

Presenting tangible investment opportunities in priority agricultural value chains and identifying viable, investment-ready projects across Uganda’s key sectors to catalyse capital inflows and accelerate economic growth.

Organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN), and the Office of the Prime Minister, among others, the Agrifood Systems Investment and Financing Summit aims to mobilise investments, align strategies, and build financial momentum towards transforming Uganda’s agrifood systems in line with the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).

The conference will run under the theme: Catalysing Innovative Financing and Investments in Uganda’s Agrifood Systems for Accelerated Socio-Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development.

The event will be officiated by Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, alongside the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze.