The National Entrepreneurs and Traders Association Uganda (NETA–Uganda) has unveiled an ambitious, fully funded benchmarking and partnership mission to China designed to deepen trade cooperation and unlock new investment opportunities for Ugandan entrepreneurs and traders.
The initiative comes at a time when Uganda is intensifying efforts to transition from a largely import-driven economy to a more production-oriented and export-focused model aligned with its industrialization agenda.
NETA–Uganda, a national umbrella body committed to representing, uniting, and empowering entrepreneurs and traders across the country through advocacy, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, will facilitate the trip in collaboration with the Chinese government.
The mission is structured not merely as a study tour but as a strategic business engagement platform aimed at building practical, long-term partnerships between Ugandan and Chinese enterprises.
According to NETA–Uganda National Chairperson, Thadeus Musoke Nagenda, the primary goal is to shift Uganda’s trade relationship with China toward greater value addition and domestic production.
“Our objective is to build strong partnerships with Chinese investors to establish manufacturing ventures in Uganda instead of relying heavily on imports. We also aim to secure markets for Ugandan products in China as part of efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two countries,” he said.
His remarks reflect growing concern among local entrepreneurs about Uganda’s trade imbalance and the need to leverage international partnerships to stimulate local industry, create jobs, and improve product competitiveness.
The Ugandan delegation will participate in the 5th RCEP (Shandong) Import Expo, a major regional trade exhibition organized by the Linyi Wholesaler Federation.
The expo is scheduled to take place from April 20 to 22, 2026, at the Linyi International Convention and Exhibition Center in Linyi, Shandong Province.
The event is one of the prominent trade platforms within the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, investors, and trade promotion agencies from across Asia and beyond.
The exhibition will feature 11 indoor halls and one multifunctional area, spanning 35,000 square meters and accommodating approximately 1,200 international-standard booths.
Key activities will include an opening ceremony, main guest country promotional events, international sister-city engagement sessions, investment promotion forums, and structured networking engagements designed to connect exhibitors with potential partners and buyers.
For Ugandan participants, the expo offers exposure to a broad spectrum of industries critical to Uganda’s industrial transformation strategy.
Exhibited product categories will include robotics, industrial machinery and electronics, agrochemicals and agricultural machinery, automotive products and spare parts, personal care and consumer goods, hospitality solutions, and domestic appliances.
The diversity of sectors represented at the expo aligns closely with Uganda’s priority areas for industrial development, particularly agro-processing, light manufacturing, and technology transfer.
NETA–Uganda has emphasized that the sponsorship package significantly lowers participation barriers for local entrepreneurs who might otherwise struggle to access such high-level international platforms.
The package covers five-star hotel accommodation, meals, domestic transportation within China, and professional translation services to facilitate effective communication and negotiations.
Participants will initially meet their own airfare costs, which will be fully refunded upon arrival in China, ensuring that the mission remains accessible while maintaining commitment from selected delegates.
The expo itself is supported by several major Chinese government institutions, including the Linyi Municipal People’s Government, the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce, the Linyi Municipal Bureau of Commerce, the Linyi Municipal People’s Government Foreign Affairs Office, the Linyi City Commercial Management Committee, and the Lanshan District People’s Government.
Their involvement underscores the strategic importance China attaches to strengthening trade and investment linkages with international partners, including emerging African markets such as Uganda.
For Uganda’s small and medium-sized enterprises, the mission presents an opportunity to explore technology transfer, negotiate supply contracts, identify joint venture prospects, and study manufacturing ecosystems that have enabled China’s rapid industrial growth.
NETA–Uganda believes that such firsthand exposure will empower participants with practical insights that can be adapted to local conditions back home.
The association has invited interested businesspersons across Uganda to register by visiting its offices or contacting +256 752 590 122, +256 772 590 122, +256 782 083 046, +256 753 382 405, or by emailing [netauganda@gmail.com](mailto:netauganda@gmail.com).
The China benchmarking mission represents a significant step in NETA–Uganda’s broader strategy to reposition Ugandan entrepreneurs from passive importers to active producers and exporters competing within regional and global value chains.
The success of the initiative could mark a turning point in how Ugandan traders engage with one of the world’s largest manufacturing economies, transforming trade ties into engines for domestic industrial growth and shared prosperity.
