Business 16 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Launches UG Catalyst Summit to Boost SMEs for 10x Economic Growth by 2040
Uganda has unveiled the UG Catalyst Summit to harness small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in achieving tenfold economic expansion by 2040 under the Fourth National Development Plan. The event will connect businesses to markets, finance, and support in key sectors like agro-industrialisation and tourism. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-bets-on-smes-to-drive-tenfold-economic-growth-by-2040-5425756
Government officials and private sector leaders have introduced the UG Catalyst Summit, a national platform to empower SMEs and fuel Uganda’s economic ambitions under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
Launched by the National Planning Authority (NPA) and Innovation Village Hub, the summit is set for June 25–26 in Kampala. It targets priority areas including agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals, and science, technology, and innovation.
Rita Ngenzi, Executive Director of Innovation Village Hub, emphasized shifting from scattered support to a unified system. This will help SMEs, which make up over 90% of businesses and provide 70-80% of jobs, overcome barriers like poor market access and value chain integration.
Asumani Gulobi, NPA’s Senior Manager for Development Planning, highlighted the summit’s role in bridging policy with action. Uganda aims for tenfold GDP growth by 2040, relying on SMEs integrated into national strategies.
A major feature is the Opportunity Dashboard, a digital tool offering real-time data on enterprise readiness, sector demands, and investment chances. The event includes four tracks for financing, partnerships, and markets.
Expected outcomes include an action paper, curated business pipelines, and sector reports to guide investments and coordination.
The initiative aligns with International MSME Day, focusing on practical steps for sustainable growth. Source: Daily Monitor