Uganda woos Swedish investors as energy, transport emerge as key opportunities
For Swedish companies, Uganda offers opportunities across the government's priority sectors, while the two countries can potentially deepen cooperation in emerging areas such as technology, innovation and the creative economy.
Uganda is seeking to deepen trade and investment ties with Sweden, with energy, transport, technology and innovation identified as sectors offering opportunities for increased commercial cooperation.
The State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) head, Col. Edith Nakalema, made the call on September 23, 2026, when she met Swedish Ambassador to Uganda Anna-Maria Olsson at SHIPU.
The ambassador was accompanied by the Embassy’s Head of Political, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Lotta Segerström.
The meeting focused on strengthening investor protection and creating a more supportive environment for Swedish companies seeking opportunities in Uganda.
Nakalema urged Swedish investors to explore Uganda’s investment potential, assuring them of government support and mechanisms designed to protect foreign investments and facilitate access to public institutions.
She said SHIPU is working to address administrative bottlenecks that can delay or frustrate investors by coordinating relevant government ministries, departments and agencies to provide timely and coordinated assistance.
“We are committed to creating an investment environment where investors can conduct their due diligence early, access the right government institutions and receive coordinated support throughout their investment journey,” Nakalema said.
Digital platform to support investors
During the meeting, Nakalema demonstrated the Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP), a digital platform designed to help investors conduct due diligence and connect with relevant government agencies before committing their resources.
The platform is intended to give investors access to information and government institutions while helping them identify and address potential challenges at an early stage.
Nakalema said Uganda also sees scope for greater cooperation with Sweden in technology and innovation, particularly in areas that can generate employment and strengthen skills among young Ugandans.
“We also see significant opportunities to work with Sweden on technologies and innovations that can support sustainable employment and skills development for Uganda’s young population,” she said.
She highlighted Uganda’s priority investment areas as Agro-processing, Tourism, Minerals, and Science and Technology (ATMS), which the government is promoting to increase production, value addition and employment.
Sweden eyes energy and transport
Ambassador Olsson said trade and business remain important components of the bilateral relationship between Sweden and Uganda, with economic diplomacy forming a central pillar of Sweden’s engagement.
She identified energy and transport among the sectors where Sweden sees potential for increased commercial cooperation with Uganda.
Olsson also explained Sweden’s “Team Sweden” approach to commercial diplomacy, which brings together the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Swedfund and Sweden’s export financing system.
The approach is designed to coordinate Swedish public and private-sector resources in supporting business partnerships and private-sector-led growth in markets such as Uganda.
The ambassador also pointed to Sweden’s creative industries as another area with potential lessons and opportunities for Uganda.
She noted that Sweden exports approximately US$500 million in creative arts annually, arguing that nurturing talent and investing in the creative economy could create additional opportunities for Uganda’s young population.
Strengthening bilateral business ties
The engagement comes as Uganda seeks to attract more foreign direct investment and strengthen partnerships that can contribute to industrialisation, job creation, technology transfer and economic growth.
For Swedish companies, Uganda offers opportunities across the government’s priority sectors, while the two countries can potentially deepen cooperation in emerging areas such as technology, innovation and the creative economy.
The meeting concluded with SHIPU reaffirming its commitment to protecting Swedish foreign direct investment in Uganda and facilitating stronger engagement between Swedish companies and Ugandan enterprises.
