Uganda and EU target €2.2bn for green jobs
Trade between Uganda and the European Union has surged to €1.8 billion by 2025, with EU investments reaching €2.2 billion.
Uganda and the European Union are shifting focus to private capital, green manufacturing, and job creation, marking 50 years of diplomatic ties. The Uganda–European Union Business Forum in Kampala on October 20-21, 2026, alongside the Renewable Energy Conference and Expo, highlighted this new direction. Trade between Uganda and the bloc increased from roughly €420 million in 2015 to €1.8 billion by 2025.
European investments represented about 79 per cent of Uganda’s foreign direct investment inflows last year, totalling approximately €2.2 billion. Ambassador Jan Sadek stated the partnership uses Europe’s “Team Europe” and Global Gateway strategy to mobilize funding for sustainable projects. An upcoming €170-million overhaul of hydropower stations is backed by EU grants and development loans.
The Private Sector Foundation Uganda stressed that electricity must be reliable and affordable for manufacturers to benefit from expanded generation capacity. Minister of Energy Monica Musenero urged European investors to view renewable energy as a catalyst for industrial growth. Organizers will monitor if business matchmaking sessions yield financed projects translating into affordable power and employment.
Why it mattersUgandan citizens need stable employment and reliable livelihoods, while local factories require steady power for efficient operation.