- Vietnam and Uganda are seeking stronger energy and mining cooperation to boost investment and trade.
- Both countries are exploring petroleum, infrastructure and resource development opportunities to deepen economic ties.
Vietnam and Uganda are seeking stronger business ties in energy, mining, agriculture and digital technology as both countries look to expand trade and investment. The call came at the “Vietnam-Uganda Businesses – The Pearl of Africa” forum in Hanoi on August 12, 2026. Officials and business leaders used the meeting to identify ways to turn growing trade into long-term investment.
Energy and mining emerged as key areas for deeper cooperation. Vietnam also sees opportunities in infrastructure, digital transformation and agricultural processing. Bilateral trade has already grown rapidly. Trade between the two countries reached $22.1 million in 2024.
That figure jumped to about $95.47 million in 2025. Uganda exported $49.85 million in goods to Vietnam, while imports from Vietnam totalled $45.62 million. Coffee, cotton and meat accounted for much of Uganda’s exports. The growth has also created opportunities for Vietnamese companies to invest in production within Uganda.
Uganda wants to attract investment that can add value to its natural resources. Vietnamese companies could also use the country as a base for serving other African markets. Vietnamese investment commitments in Uganda currently stand at about $40 million. Mining and construction account for much of the existing interest.
Ba Dinh JSC has committed $35 million to gold and non-ferrous metal exploration. ATAD Steel has also invested $500,000 in Uganda’s construction sector. However, business leaders said current investment remains below what both economies could achieve. Distance, high logistics costs and limited market information continue to make cross-border business more difficult. Differences in regulations and business practices also create challenges. Officials believe stronger institutional links could help companies overcome those barriers.
Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan called for more regular engagement between businesses and government agencies. He said both sides should identify projects and resolve investment challenges more quickly. He also urged the two countries to advance agreements that could improve investor confidence. These include deals covering double taxation and investment protection.
The energy relationship could expand beyond traditional trade. Tuan identified petroleum engineering, infrastructure development and resource exploration as potential areas for cooperation. Agriculture also remains an important part of the relationship. Vietnam and Uganda already have cooperation frameworks in the sector, which officials want to implement more actively.
Ugandan Ambassador to Vietnam Betty O. Bigombe encouraged more Vietnamese companies to explore opportunities in Uganda. She said stronger business ties with Vietnam could also give Uganda greater access to other ASEAN markets.
Ugandan business representatives also proposed local manufacturing as another opportunity. Vietnamese companies could study products currently imported into Uganda and neighbouring East African markets.
Those businesses could then consider producing some of those goods in Uganda. Investors could also benefit from available tax incentives after meeting local requirements.
The two countries now face the task of turning growing trade into actual projects. More business partnerships, investment agreements and energy developments could give their economic relationship greater depth.