The UN Women Country Representative, Paulina Chiwangu, informed the media in Kampala on Tuesday that the Source of the Nile Women in Agribusiness Expo is expected to coincide with the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+China summit scheduled to be hosted in Kampala on January 15, 2024.
Chiwangu stated that the Source of the Nile Women in Agribusiness will take place from January 14 to 16, 2024, at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel in Kigo, located in Wakiso District.
She emphasized that women in Africa contribute over 90 percent of agribusiness ventures, generating income for their families and ensuring household food security. Chiwangu highlighted that the majority of African women play a crucial role in the growth of maize, sorghum, rice, and cassava for household consumption.
“Despite being one of the youngest members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Uganda, as the incoming Chair, will leave a successful legacy by leveraging the Source of the Nile Women in Agribusiness Expo and Investment Summit, scheduled for January 14 to 16, 2024, as a foothold for neutral diplomacy, deepening international cooperation, and promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment,” Chiwangu stated in a media release.
Anna Rose Okurut, the Commissioner for Animal Health in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, emphasized the importance of Ugandans supporting women in agribusiness enterprises. She noted that the majority of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda are run by women due to their dedication and honesty in their work.
Okurut added that the Source of the Nile Women in Agribusiness Expo will also showcase Uganda’s art, culture, and handcraft to promote tourism.
“I am confident that our landmark Source of the Nile Women in Agribusiness Expo and Investment Summit will serve as a significant launch pad for future NAM Women Investment Summits, marking a chapter of concerted activity in the history of the NAM and the G77+China Summit,” she remarked.
During the Expo, women from various agribusiness value chains will engage in investment pitching interactions with private sector investors, local companies from banking, telecom, and other sectors, as well as multilateral partners and policymakers. The discussions will focus on de-risking agribusinesses from expensive credit, severe weather conditions, postharvest losses, exploitation by middlemen, reliance on manual labor, and accessing domestic, regional, and international markets, among other challenges.
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