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On the morning of 12th August in Hanoi, the Vietnam–Uganda Business Forum, themed “Uganda – The Pearl of Africa: A Gateway to Africa”, was held with the participation of more than 300 delegates. Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) attended the forum, further extending its opportunities to seek partners, develop markets, and promote cooperation in Uganda and the wider African region.

The forum was attended by representatives from government agencies, trade promotion organisations, businesses, and investors from both countries. The Vinachem delegation included Mr. Nguyễn Văn Luyện, Deputy General Director, and leaders from the Business Planning Department.

The forum provided a platform for businesses from both countries to exchange information, seek partners, and expand cooperation in trade and investment, while also introducing Uganda’s potential as a key gateway for Vietnamese companies to access the East African and broader African markets.

Uganda: A Gateway for Vietnamese Businesses into Africa

In his speech at the forum, Mr. Nguyễn Quang Vinh, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), stated that, despite the geographical distance, Vietnam and Uganda possess many complementary advantages for economic development. Vietnam’s strengths lie in agriculture, processing industries, and information technology, while Uganda is endowed with abundant resources and favourable conditions for agriculture, energy, mining, and tourism.

With a population of over 50 million and a strategic location in East Africa, Uganda is seen as having the potential to become a gateway for Vietnamese businesses to gradually penetrate the African market. Notably, Uganda could serve as a logistics and production hub, enabling companies to access the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which covers a market of about 1.4 billion people.

At the forum, delegates discussed cooperation opportunities in various fields including agricultural processing, industrial production, information technology, services, tourism, mining, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-business (G2B) networking, country and sector presentations, all contributed to a better understanding of markets, partners, and investment opportunities for companies from both nations.

According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Anh Tuấn, economic relations between Vietnam and Uganda remain modest compared to their potential. Both sides should continue to build on their sound political foundation to foster substantive and effective economic cooperation; increase exchanges of delegations; support businesses in accessing market information and finding partners; remove barriers in investment and trade; and promote framework agreements on economic cooperation.

Vinachem Aims for Deeper Cooperation in Agriculture

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Luyện, Deputy General Director of Vinachem, said the Group saw the event as an important opportunity to learn more about the African market in general and Uganda in particular, as well as to seek cooperation opportunities suited to the Group’s strengths.

Vinachem is a state-owned group operating in chemicals, fertilisers, tyres, and products serving many key economic sectors. In agriculture, the Group’s fertiliser products serve both domestic production and export; Vinachem’s products are now exported to around 70 countries worldwide.

With Vietnam targeting double-digit growth for 2026–2030, in addition to a focus on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, Vinachem views export expansion and overseas investment as key drivers for broader development. The Group already exports to markets such as Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and is now looking to strengthen cooperation and investment in Africa, with Uganda as a market of particular interest.

Assessing Uganda’s potential, especially in agriculture, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Luyện said Vinachem wishes to use the Forum’s networking activities to gain a deeper understanding of investment methods, legal frameworks, market potential, and agricultural development strategies in Uganda. The Group hopes for support from Ugandan authorities and partners in bringing Vietnamese products and technology to the market, contributing to agricultural development and food security in Uganda and the region.

Notably, Vinachem aims not only to supply fertilisers but also to provide comprehensive solutions for agricultural production, from products, processes, and technology to technical consultancy. Based on particular crop groups such as rice and coffee, the Group’s experts can study soil, water, climate, and crop varieties to develop optimal fertiliser use and care solutions, enhancing agricultural input efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing yields.

This approach aligns with the strategy to enhance product value, moving from supplying basic products to offering solutions and technical services, thus strengthening competitiveness and laying the foundation for long-term partnership.

Mr. Nguyễn Văn Luyện also expressed the hope that Vietnamese and Ugandan state agencies, businesses, and partners will support infrastructure investment, legal procedures, and create favourable conditions for Vinachem to gradually enter the market. From Uganda, the Group hopes to expand into neighbouring countries, gradually building a market and partnership network across Africa.

Participation in the Vietnam–Uganda Business Forum reflects Vinachem’s proactive efforts to seek new markets, expand international cooperation, and realise its strategy for export and overseas investment. With strengths in chemicals, fertilisers, technology, and experience in serving agricultural production, Vinachem has significant scope to develop cooperation models suited to Uganda’s development needs, thereby expanding growth potential and enhancing the status of Vietnamese enterprises in the international market.