Uganda, Japan Deepen Economic Ties as Minister Proposes Joint Youth Enterprise Facility

What the report says

Uganda and Japan have reiterated plans to deepen economic cooperation, with talks in Kampala centering on microfinance, youth enterprise, green technology and critical minerals. The meeting brought together Uganda’s State Minister for Microfinance, Shartsi Kutesa Musherure, and a Japanese delegation led by Takahashi Misako, Director General and Assistant Minister for African Affairs, alongside Japan’s Ambassador to Uganda, Sasayama Takuya.

According to Nile Post, Musherure used the discussions to highlight Uganda’s Parish Development Model as a key channel for financial inclusion and grassroots enterprise. She said the programme has expanded to millions of beneficiaries and is being used to connect more Ugandans to formal savings, credit and productive economic activity. She also pointed to the National Financial Inclusion Strategy II and said Uganda wants support that goes beyond lending to include savings, insurance, digital finance and stronger cooperative structures.

A major proposal from Uganda was a joint Uganda-Japan Youth Enterprise and Innovation Facility, intended to combine business training, financing and digital support for young entrepreneurs. Musherure also called for closer cooperation on SACCO digitalisation and green micro-entrepreneurship, including solar-powered rural business tools, irrigation and clean cooking technologies. The talks build on existing JICA-backed startup support, which the article says has already assisted Ugandan firms.

Japan said it wants to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, logistics, human capital development, science and innovation. Takahashi also indicated that Tokyo is open to continued dialogue on natural resources, including possible cooperation involving critical minerals. The meeting reflects a broader effort by both countries to link Uganda’s development priorities with Japanese technology and investment.