Sudanese Diaspora Business Club (SDIBC) is held, and the Arab-African Investment Group affirms its commitment to enhancing investment in Uganda

By Our Reporter.

As part of strengthening economic and trade relations between Sudan and Uganda, the Sudanese Business Club Abroad Forum organized an economic forum in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, with the participation of a number of Sudanese investors and French and Ugandan companies.

The forum was held at the Four Point Hotel yesterday, Saturday, April 12, 2025. It was organized by Proximity Business Hub in cooperation with several French-Ugandan companies, and sponsored by the Arab African Investment and Tourism Group.

Participating in the event were Ugandan Ambassador to Sudan, Dr. Rashid Yahya; CEO and General Manager of the Group, Mr. Yassin Musa Al-Zein; French companies’ representative, Mr. Frederic; and the Regional Director of the Saipem organization for East Africa, Dr. Shaza Al-Mahdi.

East Africa: An Attractive Region for Investors

The forum participants discussed the importance of the East African region, particularly Uganda, as a promising investment market, noting its natural resources, economic stability, and business-friendly legal structure.

The speakers emphasized that Sudanese businessmen residing in Uganda and the region constitute a vital bridge for economic cooperation between Arabs and Africans. They called for building strategic partnerships and encouraging networking between Sudanese, Ugandan, and French companies.

Uganda: A Legal Environment That Stimulates Investment

The attendees praised the Ugandan government’s efforts to facilitate investment procedures and emphasized that Uganda has become a preferred destination for investors in various sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and energy.

In this context, the Ugandan Ambassador to Sudan called on Sudanese businessmen to take advantage of the legal facilities and opportunities available in the Ugandan market, noting his country’s desire to expand cooperation with Sudanese investors.

Uganda welcomes Sudanese investment and pledges to remove obstacles
The ambassador explained the advantages of investing in Uganda to Sudanese, not just its natural beauty, but also its strategic location in East Africa and its land connections to five countries: Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Rwanda.

He downplayed the country’s status as a landlocked country. The ambassador pointed to the presence of natural resources, such as water, fertile agricultural lands, and forests, which make it a land of opportunity.

The ambassador stated that the Ugandan government, keen to ensure the success of investors, has put in place encouraging and friendly investment policies based on encouraging foreign investors, making it a leader thanks to its policies.

He noted that Uganda’s stable political and economic environment has made it an oasis of stability and economic growth in the region.

Rashid also praised the efficiency of the Ugandan workforce, which is skilled, competent, and dynamic, thanks to the strength of Ugandan educational institutions, both public universities and local institutes, which graduate 700,000 students annually, most of whom are young people.

The Arab African Group Pledges Joint Cooperation and Investment Promotion in Uganda

The Group’s CEO and General Manager, Mr. Yassin Musa Al-Zein, pledged to support and develop the Arab African Group’s partnership with the Sudanese Businessmen Abroad Conference, betting that it would be a starting point for promoting Sudanese projects abroad and striving for success and development.

Al-Zein also described the Arab African Group for Investment and Tourism as one of the new investments in Uganda, through which we will seek to serve as a common bridge for investment activity in Uganda, East Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Al-Zein affirmed their readiness to work with Sudanese investors, saying: “We are ready to open up and work together with all Sudanese business owners in Uganda, and we are working together to benefit from the rich experiences and expertise in all different fields.”

Al-Zain reiterated his commitment to building smart partnerships with stakeholders in Uganda and abroad, adding, “We look forward to providing a reflection of this country’s potential in all areas.”

French Call to Expand Economic Partnership

For his part, the representative of French companies, Mr. Frederic Lanchon, affirmed the desire of French companies to cooperate with Sudanese businessmen, noting that the Sudanese market has great potential in terms of geographical location and resources.

Frederic said, “We look forward to further cooperation with Sudanese businessmen, and we invite them to visit France to learn about the experiences of companies there and explore opportunities for bilateral partnerships.”

Frederic expressed his happiness with the capabilities of the Arab-African Group and thanked it for sponsoring and participating in investment events, in addition to opening its doors to cooperation with local and regional companies.

Forum Outcomes: Coordination, Communication, and Joint Investment

At the conclusion of the forum, the participants agreed on the need to continue coordination between Sudanese businessmen abroad, strengthen the role of organizations supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and encourage the holding of periodic forums that provide opportunities for networking and exchange of experiences.

The importance of strengthening tripartite partnerships between Sudan, Uganda, and France was also agreed upon, serving shared economic development goals and providing job opportunities for local communities.