Uganda has earned a place on the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Industrial Development Board (IDB), strengthening the country’s voice in shaping global industrial policy for the next three years. The election was confirmed during the 21st UNIDO General Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 23–27, 2025.
With 53 member states, the IDB plays a central role in reviewing UNIDO’s programmes, budgets, and policy directions. It also advises the General Conference on key decisions, including the appointment of the Director-General.
Uganda’s delegation, led by Ambassador Isaac Sebulime, comprised officials from the Uganda Permanent Mission in Vienna and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives. In his address, Amb. Sebulime applauded UNIDO’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable industrial development and reaffirmed Uganda’s ambition to accelerate its industrialisation agenda through stronger partnerships, knowledge exchange, and agro-industrial transformation.
He noted that Uganda’s priorities—innovation, productivity, and value addition align with UNIDO’s mission, particularly in high-impact sectors such as agro-processing and the coffee value chain.
UNIDO highlighted that more than 125 million people rely on coffee for their livelihoods globally. Uganda is among the five African countries selected to benefit from the €15 million UNIDO–Italy programme targeting climate-resilient coffee value chain development. The initiative aims to boost farmer incomes, enhance job creation, and expand opportunities for rural communities.
The conference, held under the broader Global Industry Summit, explored three key themes: investment and partnership, women and empowerment, and generation future. The women’s empowerment session underscored the critical role of women in industry and the need to expand access to training, education, finance, and equitable workplace opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address, Her Highness Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shalaan of AEON Collective highlighted Saudi Arabia’s rapid economic transformation and its progress in expanding opportunities for women. She called on governments to break down barriers and create platforms that support women’s ambitions.
Uganda also recorded a major win on the global sustainability stage as Nature Bio Foods, an Indian agribusiness operating in Uganda, received the UNIDO One World Sustainability Award in the Sustainable Supply Chains category. Sustainability Lead Amit Singh emphasised that real sustainability is achieved when farmers earn more, reduce production costs, and improve their overall livelihoods.
Nature Bio Foods, a subsidiary of LT Foods, established its Ugandan processing plant in 2023 and now works with more than 16,000 farmers producing soyabean, sorghum, chia, and sesame for export.
Uganda’s new position on the IDB marks a significant step in strengthening the country’s industrial competitiveness, unlocking global partnerships, and advancing Africa’s broader industrialisation agenda.
