President Museveni has called on European nations to help Africa transform its raw materials into finished products rather than exporting them unprocessed. He made the remarks on Wednesday after meeting with European Union ambassadors at State House Entebbe, led by the bloc's ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek. Museveni said value addition through manufacturing would create jobs, increase export earnings and strengthen trade between Africa and Europe.
The President argued that African countries needed to move away from exporting raw materials and instead invest in industries capable of transforming natural resources into higher-value products for international markets. He emphasised that higher earnings from African exports would also expand demand for European goods, creating mutual prosperity rather than one-sided cooperation.
During the Partnership Dialogue, discussions covered support for the Parish Development Model, irrigation, wetland protection and access to affordable electricity for manufacturing. Museveni identified affordable electricity as essential for industrial growth as Uganda looks to expand manufacturing and process more locally available raw materials.
The President stressed that cooperation between Africa and Europe should be based on mutual benefit and respect for African sovereignty. The meeting included ministers and officials including retired Major General Kahinda Otafiire, Adonia Ayebare, Frank Tumwebaze and Norbert Mao.