Nebbi, Uganda: Enterprise Uganda, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has launched an export readiness training programme aimed at preparing entrepreneurs in the Greater Nebbi region to access and compete in European markets.
The initiative targets Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and seeks to equip business operators with the skills, knowledge and standards required to participate effectively in international trade.
Speaking during the launch at Satellite One Conference Hall in Nebbi, Enterprise Uganda Partnerships and Ecosystems Development Manager David Baziwane said the programme is designed to bridge critical gaps that continue to hinder local businesses from accessing export opportunities.
He noted that participating entrepreneurs were selected based on the viability of their existing enterprises and their potential to scale into export-oriented businesses.
“The training programme is intended to equip business operators in the Greater Nebbi region with the skills and knowledge needed to meet international market standards, especially in Europe,” Baziwane said.
He observed that many MSMEs still face challenges in value addition, product presentation, packaging and branding, factors that significantly affect competitiveness in global markets.
“Through this programme, we are encouraging business operators to adopt global best practices that will enable them to position their products competitively in international markets,” he added.
Baziwane expressed confidence that the training would help prepare entrepreneurs in the region to successfully engage in the export and import of goods and services within the European market.
West Nile Region Enterprise Uganda Officer Benson Akenda Ulama said the training is being facilitated by trade specialists to address operational weaknesses that limit the ability of local businesses to compete internationally.
“The biggest barrier to successful participation in international markets is not production capacity but mindset challenges and operational gaps related to consistency and adherence to international standards,” Akenda said.
He explained that Enterprise Uganda, as a public-private institution, is mandated to support government efforts aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises as engines of production, employment creation and economic transformation.
Akenda stressed that local entrepreneurs must begin thinking beyond domestic markets and embrace a global business outlook if they are to benefit from emerging trade opportunities.
“There is an urgent need to build the capacity of local entrepreneurs and reposition their thinking towards international trade and competitiveness,” he said.
During the training, Grace Kwach Kermundu, Managing Director of Polla Mixed Farm, challenged entrepreneurs in the Greater Nebbi region to tap into the enormous potential within agriculture and agro-processing.
She highlighted coffee, cassava, sesame and fruit value chains as strategic sectors capable of transforming the region economically within the next decade.
“With the right investments in value addition, Greater Nebbi can become a major contributor to Uganda’s middle-income aspirations. Agriculture, livestock and fisheries remain strong business opportunities that can drive competitiveness in international markets,” she said.
Kwach also called upon Enterprise Uganda to continue supporting entrepreneurs with practical skills in product quality improvement, branding and packaging, which she identified as persistent challenges among local producers.
Nebbi Resident District Commissioner Robert Abak urged participants to shift from traditional approaches to business and begin targeting regional and international markets.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace innovation, partnerships and export-oriented production as pathways to sustainable growth.
“Entrepreneurs should look beyond domestic marketing and begin thinking big. The international market offers enormous opportunities for those willing to meet the required standards,” Abak said.
He further appealed to Enterprise Uganda to support emerging entrepreneurs with guidance on accessing affordable financing and building strategic partnerships that can facilitate market access abroad.
The training programme forms part of broader efforts by Enterprise Uganda and its partners to strengthen Uganda’s private sector competitiveness, improve export readiness and position local enterprises to benefit from international trade opportunities.
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