East Africa’s business community is buzzing as more than 400 of the region’s most influential leaders gather in Kampala for the 3rd Stanbic East Africa Business Summit.
The energy is high, the message is bold, and the goal is clear to turn East Africa into one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions.
The summit has brought together policymakers, investors and top executives from across the continent to discuss how stronger regional ties can unlock new opportunities in trade, infrastructure, and innovation. Hosted by Stanbic Bank Uganda and Standard Bank Group, the two-day event has quickly become a major platform for shaping the region’s economic agenda.
Stanbic Bank Uganda Chief Executive Mumba Kalifungwa said Uganda’s future lies in becoming a central hub for regional trade and investment.
“Uganda, once considered landlocked, is fast transforming into a land-linked economy investing in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and connectivity that allow goods, services, and opportunities to move seamlessly across borders,” he said.
Adding;
“As the region integrates, Stanbic’s role is to ensure that when businesses bank with us in Uganda, they are banking across East Africa with the support and reach to grow into new markets.”
That vision of a “land-linked” Uganda has become one of the summit’s most powerful takeaways, symbolising how the region is reimagining itself. From Kenya to Tanzania and Rwanda, countries are investing heavily in transport, energy and digital infrastructure to strengthen cross-border trade and cooperation.
Patrick Mweheire, the outgoing Regional Chief Executive for East Africa at Standard Bank Group, said East Africa is standing on the verge of a major transformation.
“East Africa is on the cusp of extraordinary growth. With a young population, vast natural resources, fertile soils, and deepening integration, this region has all the ingredients to become a global growth engine. But growth will not happen by accident, it will require collaborative leadership, deliberate investment, and bold action to navigate challenges like youth unemployment, access to affordable credit, and climate change,” he said.
His remarks struck a chord with delegates who believe the region’s youthful population can be its biggest asset if properly empowered through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dr Joshua Oigara, the incoming Regional Chief Executive for East Africa at Standard Bank Group, said the summit reflects a shared ambition across the region.
“The East Africa Business Summit is a powerful reflection of our region’s shared ambition to build a connected and competitive economy,” he said.
Adding;
“At Standard Bank, we see our role as enabling this transformation by financing trade, fostering innovation, and supporting enterprises to scale across borders. Through collaboration and investment, we can unlock the full potential of East Africa and drive inclusive, sustainable growth for generations to come.”
Since its launch in 2023, the Stanbic East Africa Business Summit has tripled in size and influence, with previous editions held in Kenya and Tanzania.
The Kampala edition marks a new chapter for the event as leaders exchange ideas and form partnerships aimed at building a more connected, prosperous and resilient East Africa.
