In brief
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted how participation in the Canton Fair could spur local value addition, help retain export earnings, and spur job growth. The government cited its 10 exhibitors—five coffee companies, two shea butter producers and three craft businesses—as part of this strategy. Judyth Nsababera of Uganda’s Consulate in Guangzhou emphasized that the country’s focus extends beyond mere exhibition to a broader value‑chain partnership with China.
Uganda’s participation in China’s biannual Canton Fair has been framed by the government as a pivot point for domestic value‑addition, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, November 9, 2026, in Kampala.
U.S. state secretary Judyth Nsababera, who heads Uganda’s Consulate in Guangzhou, where the fair takes place, explained that the country’s exposure to the Chinese market has been turned into an opportunity to boost local processing and packaging of its agricultural exports. Nsababera said the objective is to keep a larger share of export earnings within Uganda, create jobs, and improve incomes for farmers and cooperatives.
"Our participation was more than exhibiting products. It was about value addition, value retention, and prosperity along the value chain, from farmer to buyer," Nsababera stated.
In total, Uganda has sent 10 exhibitors to this year’s fair, spanning five coffee companies, two shea butter producers and three craft businesses. The presence of these diverse sectors underscores the breadth of Uganda’s strategy to harness the fair’s reach into China’s growing consumer markets.
The ministry’s officials argue that by shifting from exporting raw or minimally processed goods to establishing local manufacturing and packaging facilities, Uganda can capitalize on China’s demand for high‑quality coffee, shea butter and artisan crafts. This shift is expected to generate employment across multiple stages of production, from cultivation to finished goods.
Additionally, the Ugandan government cited the potential for increased foreign investment, as Chinese buyers and investors explore opportunities to partner with local firms for joint ventures, technology transfer, and supply‑chain integration.
Experts note that success in this initiative will hinge on the capacity of Uganda’s domestic industries to meet rigorous quality standards and the ability of local firms to secure consistent supply chains and secure strategic marketing support within China’s large retail ecosystem.
A key challenge identified by officials is the need for robust local infrastructure—such as reliable electricity, transportation links, and storage facilities—to support increased value‑added production. Strengthening these pillars, they say, is a prerequisite for ensuring that the economic benefits of the Canton Fair reach farmers and small‑to‑medium enterprises in the countryside.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipates that continued participation in future fairs—scheduled for the following year—will further cement Uganda’s positioning as a preferred sourcing nation for processed and packaged agri‑products in China.
Stakeholders from the agriculture sector have pledged to collaborate closely with importers and exporters to develop advanced processing techniques, improve post‑harvest handling and align standards with those of major Chinese buyers.
In closing, Ugandan officials stressed that the Canton Fair offers not merely a showcase for current products but an ongoing partnership platform through which Uganda can harness global supply chains, nurture domestic industry, and ultimately elevate the nation's economic standing on the world stage.
