Unlocking Mineral Value Addition to Support Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy

Uganda holds significant reserves of copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements that are key to the global energy transition. With the country’s ambition to grow its economy tenfold from USD 50 billion in 2025 to USD 500 billion by 2040, these minerals present a unique opportunity for fiscal revenue generation, technology transfer, and job creation.

Historically, low- and middle-income countries (except China) have primarily exported raw minerals with minimal local processing. This approach has limited the economic benefits of mining for producer countries. Recognizing this challenge, Uganda has prioritized value addition and local beneficiation, reinforced by the expected boom in transition minerals.

To support this vision, the government has undertaken key reforms, including the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, establishing the Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC), and developing new regulations to operationalize the Act. These reforms create a strategic moment to shift the conversation from mere extraction to how Uganda can leverage its mineral wealth for long-term, inclusive economic transformation.

To advance this agenda, the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), in collaboration with the Advocates Coalition on Development and Environment (ACODE), the Civil Society Coalition on Oil and Gas (CSCO), and the Chamber of Energy and Minerals, with support from the UK international Development from the UK government, is convening a high-level dialogue. This forum will explore practical steps to enhance value addition in Uganda’s mineral sector and its role in achieving the country’s ambitious economic growth targets.

Objectives

• Address regulatory barriers and propose policy actions that incentivize investment, close financing gaps, and safeguard citizens' rights in the minerals sector.
• Explore innovative technical and financial solutions for equitable and sustainable mineral development.
• Foster cross-sectoral partnerships among government, private sector, and civil society to drive inclusive growth along the mineral value chain.

Speakers

• Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED)
• Irene Batebe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD)
• Paul Bagabo, Senior Officer, NRGI
• Theophilus Acheampong, Consultant & Lecturer University of Dundee, United Kingdom
• Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director, National Planning Authority (NPA)
• Aggrey Ashaba, Chairperson Board, Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals (UCEM)
• Alfred Okidi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE)
• Frank Mugyenyi, Executive Director, Minerals African Development Institution (MADI)