Business leaders rally behind East Africa’s growth potential at Kampala summit
Launched in 2023, the Stanbic East Africa Business Summit has grown significantly in scale and influence, with previous editions held in Kenya and Tanzania.
East Africa stands on the brink of an unprecedented economic boom, poised to become a “global growth engine,” according to leaders gathered at the 3rd Stanbic East Africa Business Summit in Kampala.
The two-day summit, hosted by Stanbic Bank Uganda and the Standard Bank Group, commenced this morning with a strong message of optimism tempered by the need for strategic collaboration and bold action.
Over 400 business leaders, policymakers, investors, and regional integration experts are convened under the theme “Connected & Resilient: Scaling East Africa’s Regional Advantage.”
The summit aims to explore how deeper regional integration, infrastructure development, financial innovation, and cross-border collaboration can accelerate sustainable growth across one of Africa’s most dynamic regions.
Speaking at the opening, Patrick Mweheire, outgoing Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, Standard Bank Group, powerfully articulated the region’s potential. “East Africa is on the cusp of extraordinary growth,” Mweheire declared.
“With a young population, vast natural resources, fertile soils, and deepening integration, this region has all the ingredients to become a global growth engine. But growth will not happen by accident — it will require collaborative leadership, deliberate investment, and bold action to navigate challenges like youth unemployment, access to affordable credit, and climate change.”
The sentiment was echoed by Mumba Kalifungwa, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Uganda, who highlighted Uganda’s pivotal role. “This summit comes at a defining moment for our region,” said Kalifungwa.
“Uganda, once considered landlocked, is fast transforming into a land-linked economy — investing in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and connectivity that allow goods, services, and opportunities to move seamlessly across borders. As the region integrates, Stanbic’s role is to ensure that when businesses bank with us in Uganda, they are banking across East Africa — with the support and reach to grow into new markets.”
The summit was officially opened by Oryem Okello, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), underscoring the government’s commitment to regional economic advancement. He was joined by other prominent figures including Mweheire and Kalifungwa.
The agenda features robust panel discussions and keynotes covering critical areas such as cross-border trade, infrastructure development, climate resilience, enhancing private capital flows, and unlocking East Africa’s demographic dividend. Delegates will exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and work towards a shared vision for an integrated, resilient, and prosperous East Africa.
Launched in 2023, the Stanbic East Africa Business Summit has grown significantly in scale and influence, with previous editions held in Kenya and Tanzania.
This year’s event marks the first hosted in Uganda and coincides with a significant leadership transition, as Dr. Joshua Oigara assumes the role of Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, injecting new energy and perspectives into the region’s economic dialogue.
