VP Alupo outlines Uganda’s investment needs to Saudi Arabian investors

RIYADH - Vice President Jessica Alupo has invited investors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take interest in Uganda’s agro-industrial and value addition sectors to strengthen the country's two-way partnership.

“Just as Uganda has strategically invested in Saudi Arabia through Nonda Commodities Limited, we invite reciprocal investment to strengthen this two-way partnership.
Together we can transform Uganda into Saudi Arabia’s primary African sourcing and industrial partner for coffee and related agro-value chains,” Alupo said.

The Vice President made the remarks while representing President Museveni during a bilateral meeting with Khalid Al Falih, the Minister for Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh.

The bilateral meeting was guided by the theme “Deepening Uganda-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Investment Cooperation through the Value-at-Source Coffee Project.”

In an effort to position the Kingdom as Uganda’s global coffee gateway, Alupo said Uganda has strategically identified the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the global centre for handling and re-exporting coffee to the Gulf Cooperation Council and beyond.

“This alignment leverages the Kingdom’s maritime access through the Red Sea and its growing connectivity to Asian consumer markets, which represents the fastest-rising coffee demand globally,” Alupo said.

She stressed that through the Value-at-Source Coffee Project, Uganda seeks to jointly establish bilateral economic relevance in the global coffee trade by ensuring that both countries share in value creation rather than raw commodity exchange.

The Value-at-Source Coffee Project, a bilateral economic framework, is a landmark initiative representing a US$148 million public-private investment partnership linking Uganda’s production base with Saudi Arabia’s strategic trade location.

It comprises three integrated components, including the Luwero Coffee Park (Uganda), which is Africa's largest integrated coffee processing hub with a green bean handling capacity of 42,000 metric tonnes annually.

Next is the Jazan Coffee Terminal (Saudi Arabia), a modern logistics and value addition terminal with a 24,000 metric tonne handling capacity. It provides global maritime access for Uganda’s green and value-added coffee.

The third component is the Certified Exchange Warehousing in Jazan, which positions Jazan as one of the world’s recognised coffee trading and warehousing ports, similar to Antwerp, Trieste, or Dubai. This enhances Uganda’s visibility in the global coffee trade.

Alupo emphasised that these shared market opportunities will open dual-market access. For example, Jazan’s operations will serve the GCC and Asian markets, valued at over US$10 billion annually, while Luwero's operations will serve African and other emerging global markets, including the rapidly growing US$3 billion African instant coffee sector.

She added that the Nonda coffee brand and related value-added products will embody a bilateral identity — grown in Uganda, expanded through Saudi Arabia, and enjoyed globally.

Alupo, who is also the Woman MP for Katakwi district, commended the visionary leadership of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for positioning the Kingdom as a global investment powerhouse.

She further noted that Uganda came to the meeting not seeking aid, but partnership through commerce, a shift that reflects the country’s shared Vision 2040 and Vision 2030 of aspiring for self-sustaining industrial growth.

In his remarks, Khalid commended the Ugandan government for its continued prosperity, peace, and stability, and wished President Museveni success in the coming presidential elections.

“Uganda should remain the beacon of commerce in the region. We have seen countries neighbouring Uganda falling into political strife, but Uganda has remained peaceful, and all this is because of the wise leadership of President Museveni. As a Kingdom, we trust in his leadership,” Khalid said.

He pledged to continue enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation between the two nations through infrastructural development, the agro-industrial sector, mineral development, and humanitarian support to Uganda.

The Minister expressed admiration for Uganda’s economic growth rate, which stands at 6.3% in 2024/25, driven by strong performance in agriculture, industry, and services.

He attributed this rapid growth to the wisdom and efficiency of Uganda’s leadership and pledged, on behalf of Saudi Arabia, to continue supporting the country’s growth and development agenda.