Government targets export growth with improved standards and market access programme in new financial year

Government has intensified efforts to improve market access for Ugandan products by strengthening quality standards, certification systems and export competitiveness as part of its strategy to accelerate wealth creation and economic transformation.

Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said expanding market access remains critical if Uganda is to achieve its ambition of becoming a middle-income and industrialised economy.

Presenting the 2026/27 national budget, Musasizi noted that while production is increasing across agriculture, manufacturing and services, sustained growth will depend on the country’s ability to access both domestic and international markets.

“Wealth creators need access to both domestic and export markets,” Musasizi said.

“Expanding the domestic market requires higher household incomes and increased purchasing power to stimulate demand for locally produced goods and services.”

The minister said export growth will equally depend on Uganda’s ability to take advantage of opportunities within regional and international markets.

According to Musasizi, Uganda continues to benefit from access to regional markets under the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The country also enjoys preferential and duty-free access arrangements with key trading partners including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Russia, Serbia and countries in the Middle East.

“These opportunities provide a strong foundation for expanding Uganda’s exports and supporting industrialisation,” Musasizi said.

FASTER CERTIFICATION SERVICES

A major focus of government’s market access strategy has been strengthening the capacity of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

Musasizi reported that government recruited and trained additional personnel to improve certification, inspection and enforcement services.

As a result of automation and reforms, the turnaround time for import inspections has been reduced dramatically.

“Following automation, the turnaround time for imports inspection reduced from three weeks to four hours,” the minister revealed.

The reforms have also reduced product testing timelines from 30 days to 14 days, while product certification processing has been cut from 180 days to 45 days.

Business operators have frequently cited lengthy certification procedures as a major barrier to trade and investment, making the improvements significant for the private sector.

REGIONAL LABORATORIES EXPANDED

Government is also decentralising standards and certification services to make them more accessible to businesses outside Kampala.

Construction and equipping of modern engineering testing laboratories is ongoing and is expected to be completed by September 2026.

In addition, regional laboratories are under construction in Mbale, Gulu and Mbarara.

The facilities are expected to reduce the cost and time required for businesses to access testing and certification services.

“The objective is to enhance access to quality assurance services across the country,” Musasizi said.

BOOSTING PRODUCT QUALITY

Government has continued developing standards aimed at improving the competitiveness of Ugandan products.

According to the minister, 450 standards for products and services were developed during the financial year, while permits were issued to 4,500 products.

The programme also targeted small and medium enterprises, which often struggle to meet international market requirements.

Musasizi said 750 micro, small and medium enterprises were trained in value addition and processing, while 750 products received certification support.

The interventions are intended to help local businesses access higher-value domestic and export markets.

NATIONAL METROLOGY LABORATORY COMPLETED

Among the major achievements highlighted in the budget is completion of an internationally accredited National Metrology Laboratory at UNBS.

The facility is responsible for calibration and measurement standards that support manufacturing, agro-processing and industrial production.

“The laboratory is being used to calibrate equipment used in the National Food Safety Laboratory and other agro-food processing laboratories and industries,” Musasizi said.

Government also operationalised a petroleum testing laboratory in January 2026.

Since becoming operational, the facility has tested more than 40 petroleum product samples, helping improve fuel quality assurance and consumer protection.

SHS 163 MILLION EURO PROJECT TO SUPPORT EXPORTS

Looking ahead, government plans to scale up investments aimed at improving product quality and export competitiveness.

Among the flagship initiatives is the €163.56 million Enhancing Agricultural Production, Quality and Standards for Market Access Project.

The programme is expected to strengthen quality assurance infrastructure and improve compliance with international standards.

Priority interventions for FY 2026/27 will include strengthening standards development, expanding certification services, completing regional laboratories and accrediting private laboratories to increase access to testing services.

Musasizi said these investments are essential if Uganda is to increase exports, support industrialisation and achieve the budget’s theme of full monetisation of the economy through commercial agriculture, industrialisation, digital transformation and expanded market access.

Analysts say improved standards and certification systems will be particularly important as Uganda prepares for increased exports from agro-processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and mineral value addition industries that government is prioritising under its tenfold growth strategy.