Museveni courts MTN to invest in coffee and manufacturing to tap into regional trade and industrialization
“In South Africa, many Africans were already involved in agriculture, but here in Uganda, life was so easy that people remained in subsistence farming. That’s the unique challenge we’re dealing with,” he explained.
President Yoweri Museveni is actively pushing for increased investment from South African telecommunications giant MTN, urging the company to explore potential partnerships in manufacturing and capitalize on Uganda’s booming agricultural sector, particularly coffee, to tap into the growing regional trade opportunities and drive industrialization.
During a meeting held at State House, Entebbe on Friday, May 9th, 2025, with a delegation from MTN Group, President Museveni commended MTN’s growth in Uganda since its inception. He specifically highlighted the pivotal role the company played in the early days of mobile communication, recalling a phone call from Nelson Mandela facilitated by the nascent technology.
The President emphasized the critical role of cross-border investment in strengthening regional integration and fostering economic growth. “You should discuss and see how you can intensify cross-border investment. That’s how we can strengthen intra-African trade and cooperation,” he urged the MTN delegation.
Museveni also highlighted the ongoing challenges of transitioning Ugandans from subsistence farming to a money-based economy, pointing to opportunities for MTN to contribute to this transformation. He specifically touted Uganda’s burgeoning agricultural sector, focusing on the dramatic increase in coffee production. “Coffee is now bringing in about 9 million bags annually, and people are beginning to taste the benefits of being in the money economy,” he stated, implicitly inviting MTN to invest in the value chain of this increasingly lucrative crop. He also mentioned the rising milk output in rural areas as another area ripe for investment.
Drawing a contrast between Uganda and South Africa, the President noted that Uganda’s advantageous climate and dual rainy seasons presented unique socio-economic conditions. While South Africa already had a strong history of African involvement in agriculture, Uganda’s fertile environment had, in the past, led to a greater reliance on subsistence farming. “In South Africa, many Africans were already involved in agriculture, but here in Uganda, life was so easy that people remained in subsistence farming. That’s the unique challenge we’re dealing with,” he explained.
Representing MTN Group, Chairman Jonas Mcebisi reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Uganda, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative relationship between the company, the government, and regulatory bodies. He also conveyed MTN’s interest in deepening business ties between Uganda and South Africa.
“We believe there is real opportunity to help Ugandan businesses enter the South African market, and that is something we can explore further,” Mcebisi remarked, suggesting a potential avenue for MTN to facilitate trade and investment flows between the two countries.
Mcebisi also provided an update on MTN’s operations in Uganda and globally, highlighting the company’s significant customer base. “We currently have about 22 million customers in Uganda, with approximately 12 million of them using real smartphones. Globally, MTN serves over 297 million customers, which gives us a broad network and capacity to support development,” he said, underscoring the company’s potential to drive economic growth through connectivity and digital services.
The meeting was attended by key government officials, including Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance; Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; John Musinguzi, the Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA); and George William Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of Uganda Communications Commission, demonstrating the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration with MTN and other private sector players to drive Uganda’s economic development agenda.
President Museveni’s push for MTN to invest in coffee, manufacturing, and other sectors aligns with Uganda’s broader strategy to boost regional trade and accelerate industrialization. By leveraging its existing infrastructure and customer base, MTN can play a significant role in achieving these ambitious goals. The pressure is now on MTN to translate the President’s encouragement into concrete investments that will benefit both the company and the Ugandan economy.
