Uganda Keen to Tap Malaysia’s Expertise in Palm Oil Industry

Kuala Lumpur | April 23, 2025 — Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, has announced that Uganda is eager to partner with Malaysia to learn from its world-renowned palm oil industry, signaling a key area of cooperation at the ongoing Uganda Pearl of Africa Business Forum and Expo 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.

“We are just beginning our journey in palm oil,” Nankabirwa said. “Malaysia’s success is something we want to understand and emulate. There’s so much Uganda can learn.”

Accompanied by Uganda’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Amb. Betty Oyella Bigombe, and the Minister of Agriculture, Nankabirwa said the expo serves as a platform to seek technical partnerships and investor interest across agriculture, energy, tourism, science, and mineral development.

🌴 Learning from Malaysia’s Palm Oil Success

Uganda has begun planting oil palm but is still in the early stages of cultivation. In contrast, Malaysia is a global leader in palm oil production, with palm plantations dominating much of its rural landscape.

“When you fly over Malaysia, palm oil is everywhere. That transformation is something we hope to achieve—strategically and sustainably,” Nankabirwa added.

She emphasized that Uganda is now opening up to Malaysian investors who wish to be part of Uganda’s agro-industrialisation journey.

⛏️ Expanding Energy and Mineral Collaboration

Beyond agriculture, Uganda sees significant opportunities for bilateral collaboration in minerals and energy.

Nankabirwa praised Uganda’s robust regulatory frameworks that emphasize value addition and invited Malaysian partners to invest in:

• Mineral exploration and processing
• Petrochemical industries
• Oil infrastructure and logistics

She highlighted Uganda’s collaboration with Malaysia’s Petronas, and ongoing developments like:

• Kabalega Petrochemical Industrial Park
• Hoima Oil Refinery
• East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)
• New exploration licensing rounds, with 60% of petroleum potential still untapped

“Our partnership with Petronas is just the beginning. Uganda is prepared to expand and deepen energy cooperation with Malaysia,” Nankabirwa said.

🏭 Industrial and Investment Opportunities

The Kabalega Industrial Park, adjacent to Uganda’s second international airport, offers a prime site for:

• Fertilizer manufacturing using oil by-products like ammonium nitrate
• Hospitality, logistics, and support services
• Digital transformation infrastructure through science and ICT parks

Uganda is also preparing to reallocate exploration blocks formerly held by TotalEnergies SE, now available to new investors.

On the mineral front, partnerships with the Uganda National Mining Company are open for:

• Gold, cobalt, and rare earth extraction
• Sustainable and value-added mineral development

🌍 Positioning Uganda as East Africa’s Investment Gateway

Ambassador Bigombe emphasized Uganda’s geographic and market advantage:

“Investors in Uganda gain access not just to one country, but to the entire East African Community and COMESA region, representing over 500 million consumers.”

She highlighted Uganda’s 100% foreign ownership policy, profit repatriation guarantees, and tax holidays, making it a top destination in Africa for investment.

📊 Growing Uganda-Malaysia Trade Ties

Malaysia’s exports to Uganda reached US$250 million (RM1.1 billion) in 2024, and the current expo is expected to deepen trade relationships.

With four Ugandan cabinet ministers in attendance, the Uganda Pearl of Africa Business Forum and Expo 2025, co-hosted by the Ugandan High Commission and World-One Business Federation, is designed to:

• Facilitate direct dialogue with Uganda’s policymakers
• Showcase 120+ bankable investment projects
• Accelerate bilateral trade and sectoral partnerships

Conclusion: A Strategic Shift Toward Value, Sustainability, and Partnership

Uganda is positioning itself for a new era of industrial transformation—rooted in partnerships, value addition, and regional market access. The country’s alignment with Malaysia in palm oil, energy, and minerals reflects its broader vision for sustainable growth and inclusive economic development.

“There is much we can do together,” Nankabirwa concluded. “This is only the beginning.”