Ross McNally of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce opened the session by stressing East Africa’s critical role in Hampshire’s global trade strategy. He pointed to the region’s growing middle class, education advancements, and strong cultural connections, which make East Africa an attractive destination for value-added industries.

Building on McNally’s points, Richard Moir, Vice President of the London Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the need for deeper UK-East Africa collaboration, especially in insurance to facilitate trade. He also stressed the importance of the Commonwealth in fostering trust and encouraging bilateral trade.

Lars Peter Jensen from Colas Ltd shared insights into infrastructure development, particularly from Colas' involvement in major projects in Uganda, such as the Kabaale International Airport. While praising UKEF’s support, Jensen highlighted the lengthy process of securing financing and project approvals in East Africa, which could delay development.

Ms. Paramita Dasgupta of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) emphasized the need for transparency and predictability in PPPs to boost investor confidence. She singled out the energy and telecom sectors as high-potential areas for investment, provided regulatory processes remain clear and stable.

From an academic perspective, Professor Sangeeta Khorana of Aston Business School advocated for East African nations to fully leverage free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UK. She referenced initiatives like the UK-Kenya Trade Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP), which uses blockchain technology to reduce trade barriers, and stressed the need to modernize public procurement systems for more efficient trade.

Ugandan leaders added valuable insights into their country’s investment strategies. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, outlined Uganda’s efforts to digitize investment processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Lieutenant General Joseph Musanyufu, Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, highlighted the importance of strong security and legal frameworks to attract foreign investment.

In the legal realm, Baiju Vasani, a barrister and arbitrator, emphasized the need for stronger arbitration mechanisms to ensure investor protection and support foreign direct investment (FDI) in East Africa.

Key Discussion Themes

1. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
   PPPs were identified as critical to accelerating infrastructure and economic development in East Africa, especially in energy, transportation, and telecommunications. These partnerships are essential for attracting foreign investment and creating jobs.
2. Leveraging UK Export Finance (UKEF)
   UKEF was praised for its role in funding large-scale infrastructure projects in East Africa, but panelists stressed the need for more streamlined approval processes to reduce delays and ensure timely project delivery.
3. Bilateral Relationships and the Commonwealth
   The Commonwealth's role in fostering UK-East Africa economic ties was emphasized, with panelists advocating for collaboration in finance, insurance, and digital trade as key to sustainable growth.
4. Opportunities for UK-East Africa Trade Relations
   While free trade agreements present immense potential, East African nations must modernize procurement systems and embrace digital transformation to fully capitalize on these opportunities. Reducing trade barriers is crucial to enhancing efficiency and competitiveness.

Audience Engagement and Conclusion

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants raised concerns about certification challenges for exporting goods like dairy and meat products. Panelists acknowledged these issues and called for stronger chambers of commerce in African countries to streamline trade processes and better represent business interests.

The session ended with a shared commitment to enhancing UK-East Africa trade relations, focusing on infrastructure development, legal frameworks, and PPPs. Panelists emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration to ensure sustainable economic growth for both regions.