Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda's economy generates income from annual exports that include coffee ($466.6 million), tea ($72.1 million), and fish ($136.2 million). [1] The country has commenced economic reforms and growth has been robust. In 2008, Uganda recorded 7% growth despite the global downturn and regional instability. [2]
Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. The country has largely untapped reserves of both crude oil and natural gas. [3] While agriculture accounted for 56% of the economy in 1986, with coffee as its main export, it has now been surpassed by the services sector, which accounted for 52% of GDP in 2007. [4]
This list includes notable companies with primary headquarters located in the country. The industry and sector follow the Industry Classification Benchmark taxonomy. Organizations which have ceased operations are included and noted as defunct.
Name | Industry | Sector | Headquarters | Founded | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABC Bank (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1993 | Commercial bank |
Africell | Telecommunications | Mobile Telecommunications | Kampala | 2014 | |
Aya Group | Conglomerates | - | Kampala | 1999 | Food and beverage, construction, hotels & resorts |
Bank of Africa Uganda Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1984 | Commercial bank, part of Bank of Africa Group (Mali) |
Bank of Baroda Uganda Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1953 | Commercial bank, part of Bank of Baroda (India) |
Bank of India (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2012 | Commercial bank, part of Bank of India (India) |
Bank of Uganda | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1966 | Central bank |
Barclays Bank of Uganda | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1927 | Commercial bank, part of Barclays (UK) |
BRAC Uganda Bank Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2006 | Credit bank |
Cairo International Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1995 | Commercial bank |
Centenary Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1983 | Commercial bank |
Citibank Uganda | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1999 | Commercial bank, part of Citigroup (US) |
Commercial Bank of Africa (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2014 | Commercial bank, part of Commercial Bank of Africa (Kenya) |
Crane Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1995 | Acquired by DFCU Bank |
DFCU Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1964 | Commercial bank, part of DFCU Group |
DFCU Group | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1964 | Financial services holding company |
Diamond Trust Bank (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1945 | Commercial bank |
Eagle Air (Uganda) | Consumer services | Airlines | Kampala | 1994 | Regional and charter airline |
East African Development Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1967 | Development finance |
Ecobank (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2009 | Commercial bank, part of Ecobank (Togo) |
Equity Bank (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2008 | Commercial bank, part of Equity Group Holdings Limited (Kenya) |
Exim Bank (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2011 | Commercial bank, part of Exim Bank (Tanzania) |
Finance Trust Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1984 | Commercial bank |
FINCA Uganda Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1992 | Microfinance |
Global Trust Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2008 | Commercial bank |
Guaranty Trust Bank (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2008 | Commercial bank, part of Guaranty Trust Bank (East Africa) |
Housing Finance Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1967 | Commercial bank |
Imperial Hotels Group | Consumer services | Hotels | Kampala | 1991 [5] | Hotels |
International Medical Group (Uganda) | Health care | Health care equipment & services | Kampala | 1996 | Private medical services |
K2 Telecom | Telecommunications | Mobile telecommunications | Kampala | 2013 | Mobile network |
Kakira Sugar Works | Consumer goods | Food products | Kakira | 1930 | Sugar |
Kampala Hilton Hotel | Consumer services | Hotels | Kampala | 2010 | Hotel, part of Aya Group |
Kampala Serena Hotel | Consumer services | Hotels | Kampala | 2006 | Hotel |
Kampala Sheraton Hotel | Consumer services | Hotels | Kampala | 1967 | Hotel, part of Sheraton Hotels and Resorts (US) |
Kampala Speke Hotel | Consumer services | Hotels | Kampala | 1925 | Hotel, part of Ruparelia Group |
KCB Bank Uganda Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2007 | Part of KCB Group Limited (Kenya) |
Kinyara Sugar Works Limited | Consumer goods | Food products | Masindi | 1969 | Sugar |
Kyagalanyi Coffee Limited | Consumer goods | Food products | Kampala | 1990 | Coffee |
National Bank of Commerce (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1991 | Commercial bank |
National Insurance Corporation | Financials | Full line insurance | Kampala | 1964 | Insurance |
National Social Security Fund (Uganda) | Financials | Investment services | Kampala | 1985 | Retirement funds |
National Water and Sewerage Corporation | Utilities | Water | Kampala | 1972 | Water and sanitation |
NC Bank Uganda | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2012 | Commercial bank |
New Vision Group | Consumer services | Publishing | Kampala | 1986 | Newspaper, television |
New Vision | Consumer services | Publishing | Kampala | 1986 | Newspaper, part of New Vision Group |
Nile Bank Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1988 | Defunct 2007, merged into Barclays Bank of Uganda |
Opportunity Uganda Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1995 | Credit institution |
Orient Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1993 | Commercial bank |
Posta Uganda | Industrials | Delivery services | Kampala | 1951 | Postal services |
PostBank Uganda | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1926 | Credit institution |
Pride Microfinance Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1995 | Microfinance |
Quality Chemical Industries Limited | Health care | Pharmaceuticals | Kampala | 2005 | Pharma |
Royal Daisy Airlines | Consumer services | Airlines | Kampala | 2005 | Private airline, defunct |
Ruparelia Group | Conglomerates | - | Kampala | 1985 | Banking, insurance, education, real estate, hotels |
Sango Bay Estates Limited | Consumer goods | Food products | Kakuuto | 1930 | Sugar |
Skyjet Airlines | Consumer services | Airlines | Kampala | 2003 | Airline |
Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1906 | Commercial bank |
Standard Chartered Uganda | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1912 | Commercial bank |
Statewide Insurance Company | Financials | Full line insurance | Kampala | 1982 | Insurance and risk management |
Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited | Consumer goods | Food products | Lugazi | 1924 | Sugar |
Tropical Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1973 | Commercial bank |
UGAFODE Microfinance Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1994 | Microfinance |
Uganda Air Cargo | Industrials | Delivery services | Kampala | 1994 | Cargo |
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation | Consumer services | Broadcasting & entertainment | Kampala | 2005 | Broadcaster |
Uganda Cancer Institute | Health care | Biotechnology | Kampala | 1967 | Biotech |
Uganda Commercial Bank | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1965 | Commercial bank, defunct 2001 |
Uganda Development Bank Limited | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 1972 | State-owned, development bank |
Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited | Utilities | Conventional electricity | Kampala | 2001 | Power |
Uganda National Oil Company | Oil & gas | Exploration & production | Kampala | - | Petroleum |
Uganda Railways Corporation | Industrials | Railroads | Kampala | 1977 | State railway |
Uganda Reinsurance Company | Financials | Full line insurance | Kampala | 2000 | Reinsurance |
Uganda Securities Exchange | Financials | Investment services | Kampala | 1997 | Stock exchange |
Uganda Telecommunications Corporation Limited | Telecommunications | Fixed line telecommunications | Kampala | 2000 | Telecom |
Uganda Virus Research Institute | Health care | Biotechnology | Entebbe | 1936 | Biotech |
Umeme | Utilities | Conventional electricity | Kampala | 2004 | Electrical utility |
United Airlines Limited | Consumer services | Airlines | Kampala | 1999 | Airline |
United Bank for Africa (Uganda) | Financials | Banks | Kampala | 2008 | Commercial bank |
The economy of Angola remains heavily influenced by the effects of four decades of conflict in the last part of the 20th century, the war for independence from Portugal (1961–75) and the subsequent civil war (1975–2002). Poverty since 2002 is reduced over 50% and a third of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Since 2002, when the 27-year civil war ended, government policy prioritized the repair and improvement of infrastructure and strengthening of political and social institutions. During the first decade of the 21st century, Angola's economy was one of the fastest-growing in the world, with reported annual average GDP growth of 11.1 percent from 2001 to 2010. High international oil prices and rising oil production contributed to strong economic growth, although with high inequality, at that time. 2022 trade surplus was $30 billion, compared to $48 billion in 2012.
The economy of Burkina Faso is based primarily on subsistence farming and livestock raising. Burkina Faso has an average income purchasing-power-parity per capita of $1,900 and nominal per capita of $790 in 2014. More than 80% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, with only a small fraction directly involved in industry and services. Highly variable rainfall, poor soils, lack of adequate communications and other infrastructure, a low literacy rate, and a stagnant economy are all longstanding problems of this landlocked country. The export economy also remained subject to fluctuations in world prices.
The economy of the Central African Republic is $2.321 billion by gross domestic product as of 2019, even lower than much smaller countries such as Barbados with an estimated annual per capita income of just $805 as measured by purchasing power parity in 2019.
The economy of Colombia is the fourth largest in Latin America as measured by gross domestic product and the third-largest economic power in South America. Colombia has experienced a historic economic boom over the last decade. Throughout most of the 20th century, Colombia was Latin America's 4th and 3rd largest economy when measured by nominal GDP, real GDP, GDP (PPP), and real GDP at chained PPPs. Between 2012 and 2014, it became the 3rd largest in Latin America by nominal GDP. As of 2018, the GDP (PPP) per capita has increased to over US$14,000, and real gross domestic product at chained PPPs increased from US$250 billion in 1990 to nearly US$800 billion. Poverty levels were as high as 65% in 1990, but decreased to under 30% by 2014, and 27% by 2018. They decreased by an average of 1.35% per year since 1990.
The economy of Equatorial Guinea has traditionally been dependent on commodities such as cocoa and coffee, but is now heavily dependent on petroleum due to the discovery and exploitation of significant oil reserves in the 1980s. In 2017, it graduated from "Least Developed Country" status, one of six Sub-Saharan African nations that managed to do so.
The economy of Ethiopia is a mixed and transition economy with a large public sector. The government of Ethiopia is in the process of privatizing many of the state-owned businesses and moving toward a market economy. The banking, telecommunication and transportation sectors of the economy are dominated by government-owned companies.
The economy of Gabon is characterized by strong links with France, large foreign investments, dependence on skilled foreign labor, and decline of agriculture. Gabon on paper enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations of Africa, but its reliance on resource extraction industry fail to release much of the population from extreme poverty, as much of 30% of the population lives under the poverty threshold.
The economy of Kenya is market-based with a few state enterprises. Kenya has an emerging market and is an averagely industrialised nation ahead of its East African peers. Currently a lower middle income nation, Kenya plans to be a newly industrialised nation by 2030. The major industries driving the Kenyan economy include financial services, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, retail and energy. As of 2020, Kenya had the third largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, behind Nigeria and South Africa. Regionally, Kenya has had a stronger and more stable economy compared to its neighboring countries within East Africa.By 2023, the country had become Africa's largest start-up hub by both funds invested and number of projects.
The economy of Malawi is $7.522 billion by gross domestic product as of 2019, and is predominantly agricultural, with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. The landlocked country in south central Africa ranks among the world's least developed countries. In 2017, agriculture accounted for about one-third of GDP and about 80% of export revenue. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The government faces strong challenges: to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, to face up to environmental problems of deforestation and erosion, and to deal with the problem of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Malawi is a least developed country according to United Nations.
The economy of Malaysia is the fifth largest in Southeast Asia and the 36th largest in the world in terms of nominal GDP. When measured by purchasing power parity, its GDP climbs to the 30th largest. Malaysia is forecasted to have a nominal GDP nearly half a trillion US$ by the end of 2024. The labour productivity of Malaysian workers is the third highest in ASEAN and significantly higher than Indonesia, Vietnam and The Philippines. The 2021 Global Competitiveness Report ranked Malaysian economy the 25th most competitive country economy in the world.
The economy of Nicaragua is focused primarily on the agricultural sector. Nicaragua itself is the least developed country in Central America, and the second poorest in the Americas by nominal GDP. In recent years, under the administrations of Daniel Ortega, the Nicaraguan economy has expanded somewhat, following the Great Recession, when the country's economy actually contracted by 1.5%, due to decreased export demand in the American and Central American markets, lower commodity prices for key agricultural exports, and low remittance growth. The economy saw 4.5% growth in 2010 thanks to a recovery in export demand and growth in its tourism industry. Nicaragua's economy continues to post growth, with preliminary indicators showing the Nicaraguan economy growing an additional 5% in 2011. Consumer Price inflation have also curtailed since 2008, when Nicaragua's inflation rate hovered at 19.82%. In 2009 and 2010, the country posted lower inflation rates, 3.68% and 5.45%, respectively. Remittances are a major source of income, equivalent to 15% of the country's GDP, which originate primarily from Costa Rica, the United States, and European Union member states. Approximately one million Nicaraguans contribute to the remittance sector of the economy.
The economy of the Republic of the Congo is a mixture of subsistence hunting and agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on petroleum extraction and support services. Government spending is characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Petroleum has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. Nowadays the Republic of the Congo is increasingly converting natural gas to electricity rather than burning it, greatly improving energy prospects.
Somalia is classified by the United Nations as a least developed country, with the majority of its population being dependent on agriculture and livestock for their livelihood. The economy of Somalia is $4.918 billion by gross domestic product as of 2020. For 1994, the CIA estimated it at purchasing power parity to be approximately $3.3 billion. In 2001, it was estimated to be $4.1 billion. By 2009, the CIA estimated that it had grown to $5.731 billion, with a projected real growth rate of 2.6%. In 2014, the International Monetary Fund estimated economic activity to have expanded by 3.7% primarily. This expansion was driven by growth in the primary sector and the secondary sector. According to a 2007 British Chambers of Commerce report, the private sector has experienced growth, particularly in the service sector. Unlike the pre-civil war period, when most services and the industrial sector were government-run, there has been substantial, albeit unmeasured, private investment in commercial activities. The investment has been largely financed by the Somali diaspora, and includes trade and marketing, money transfer services, transportation, communications, fishery equipment, airlines, telecommunications, education, health, construction and hotels.
The economy of Trinidad and Tobago is the third wealthiest in the Caribbean and the fifth-richest by GDP (PPP) per capita in the Americas. Trinidad and Tobago is recognised as a high-income economy by the World Bank. Unlike most of the English-speaking Caribbean, the country's economy is primarily industrial, with an emphasis on petroleum and petrochemicals. The country's wealth is attributed to its large reserves and exploitation of oil and natural gas.
The economy of Madagascar is US$9.769 billion by gross domestic product as of 2020, being a market economy and is supported by an agricultural industry and emerging tourism, textile and mining industries. Malagasy agriculture produces tropical staple crops such as rice and cassava, as well as cash crops such as vanilla and coffee.
The economy of Uganda has a great potential and appears poised for rapid growth and development. Uganda is endowed with significant natural resources, including ample fertile land, regular rainfall, and mineral deposits.
The economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is largely underdeveloped with the vast majority of the population living below the poverty line. However, according to the Asian Development Bank its GDP is expected to grow 3.4% in 2022 and 4.6% in 2023. It is dominated by the agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector and the minerals and energy extraction sector. The agricultural, forestry, and fishing sector accounts for most of the labour force of PNG while the minerals and energy extraction sector, including gold, copper, oil and natural gas is responsible for most of the export earnings.
The economy of Bahrain is heavily dependent upon oil and gas. The Bahraini Dinar is the second-highest-valued currency unit in the world. Since the late 20th century, Bahrain has heavily invested in the banking and tourism sectors. The country's capital, Manama is home to many large financial structures. Bahrain's finance industry is very successful. In 2008, Bahrain was named the world's fastest growing financial center by the City of London's Global Financial Centres Index. Bahrain's banking and financial services sector, particularly Islamic banking, have benefited from the regional boom driven by demand for oil. Petroleum is Bahrain's most exported product, accounting for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. Aluminium is the second most exported product, followed by finance and construction materials.
The economy of Ivory Coast is stable and currently growing, in the aftermath of political instability in recent decades. The Ivory Coast's economy is largely market-based and depends heavily on the agricultural sector. Almost 70% of the Ivorian people are engaged in some form of agricultural activity. The economy grew 82% in the 1960s, reaching a peak growth of 360% in the 1970s, but this proved unsustainable and it shrank by 28% in the 1980s and a further 22% in the 1990s. This decline, coupled with high population growth, resulted in a steady fall in living standards. The Gross national product per capita, now rising again, was about US$727 in 1996. It was substantially higher two decades before. Real GDP growth is expected to average 6.5% in 2024–25.