Kampala, Uganda, October 9, 2025-Over 400 business leaders, policymakers, investors, and regional integration experts have convened in Kampala for the third Stanbic East Africa Business Summit, a premier platform aimed at unlocking East Africa’s economic potential through trade, investment, and collaboration.
The two-day summit, hosted by Stanbic Bank Uganda in partnership with the Standard Bank Group, is being held under the theme “Connected & Resilient: Scaling East Africa’s Regional Advantage.” Discussions are centered on how deeper regional integration, financial innovation, and infrastructure development can accelerate sustainable growth across one of Africa’s fastest-growing regions.
The event was officially opened by Hon. Oryem Okello, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), alongside top executives from the public and private sectors, including Patrick Mweheire, outgoing Regional Chief Executive for East Africa at Standard Bank Group; Dr. Joshua Oigara, his incoming successor; and Mumba Kalifungwa, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Uganda.
“This summit comes at a defining moment for our region,” said Mr. Kalifungwa. “Uganda, once considered landlocked, is fast transforming into a land-linked economy—investing in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and connectivity that enable goods and services to move seamlessly across borders. As the region integrates, Stanbic’s role is to ensure that when businesses bank with us in Uganda, they are banking across East Africa.”
The summit’s agenda features high-level panel discussions on cross-border trade, infrastructure, climate resilience, private capital flows, and unlocking East Africa’s demographic dividend.
Outgoing Regional Chief Executive Patrick Mweheire noted that East Africa stands on the verge of extraordinary growth, citing its youthful population, fertile soils, and deepening regional integration.
“This region has all the ingredients to become a global growth engine,” Mweheire said. “But growth will not happen by accident—it requires collaborative leadership, deliberate investment, and bold action to tackle challenges such as youth unemployment, access to affordable credit, and climate change.”
Launched in 2023, the Stanbic East Africa Business Summit has grown threefold in scale and influence, with previous editions held in Kenya and Tanzania. This year marks the first time Uganda is hosting the event, coinciding with the leadership transition as Dr. Oigara assumes his new regional role.
“The East Africa Business Summit reflects our region’s shared ambition to build a connected and competitive economy,” said Dr. Oigara. “At Standard Bank, our mission is to finance trade, foster innovation, and support 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.”
Delegates are expected to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and chart a path toward a more integrated and resilient regional economy during the summit.
Stanbic Bank Uganda is part of the Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest financial services organisation, with operations in 20 African countries and a 160-year history on the continent.
