Uganda’s exports to South Sudan are estimated to have reached $700 million in 2026, up from $490 million in 2024, according to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the two countries seek to strengthen bilateral trade.
Charles Ssentongo, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government was finalizing data to confirm the latest export figures.
Speaking at a briefing ahead of the Uganda-South Sudan Business Forum and Exhibition scheduled for October 14 in Kampala, Ssentongo attributed the growth to stronger bilateral engagement and increased interest among businesses in expanding cross-border trade.
“If you look at 2019, we are exporting, and by 2024, we are at 490. Now, we are finalizing data collection, and I think at the meeting we are going to discuss it. We shall be able to give you the exact figures, but our estimate is that, right now, we are trading at around 700 million dollars in terms of exports to South Sudan, which is a big leap from 490 in 2024,” Ssentongo said.
He cited continued engagement between the two governments and the resilience and interest of businesses as key factors driving the growth.
Uganda exports a range of goods to South Sudan, including grain and milling products, sugar, cement, iron and steel, beverages and processed foods. South Sudan, in return, exports products such as scrap metals and processed fish to Uganda.
Despite the reported growth, Ssentongo said traders continued to face challenges, including delays at border crossings, lengthy customs clearance procedures and inadequate infrastructure, which increase the cost of transporting goods between the two countries.
The Uganda-South Sudan Business Forum and Exhibition is scheduled for October 14 in Kampala. The meeting is expected to focus on simplifying customs procedures, improving coordination at border points and strengthening regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The upcoming forum follows the first Uganda-South Sudan Business Forum, which was held in Juba in July 2022.
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