Over 400 business leaders, policymakers, investors, and regional integration experts have gathered in Kampala for the 3rd Stanbic East Africa Business Summit, a premier platform dedicated to unlocking East Africa’s full economic potential through trade, investment, and collaboration.
Held under the theme “Connected & Resilient: Scaling East Africa’s Regional Advantage,” the two-day summit, hosted by Stanbic Bank Uganda and the Standard Bank Group, focuses on how deeper regional integration, infrastructure development, financial innovation, and cross-border partnerships can accelerate sustainable growth across one of Africa’s most dynamic regions.
Strategic Conversations
The summit was officially opened this morning by Hon. Oryem Okello, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), alongside leaders from the public and private sectors including Patrick Mweheire, outgoing Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, Standard Bank Group; Dr Joshua Oigara, incoming Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, Standard Bank Group; and Mumba Kalifungwa, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Uganda.
“This summit comes at a defining moment for our region,” said Mumba Kalifungwa, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Uganda. “Uganda, once considered landlocked, is fast transforming into a land-linked economy — investing in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and connectivity that allow goods, services, and opportunities 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 — with the support and reach to grow into new markets.”
The summit’s agenda features panel discussions and keynote sessions on critical themes such as cross-border trade, infrastructure development, climate resilience, private capital flows, and unlocking East Africa’s demographic dividend. It aims to highlight both the opportunities and the structural challenges facing the region’s economies, including financing gaps, regulatory harmonisation, and human capital development.
“East Africa is on the cusp of extraordinary growth,” said Patrick Mweheire, outgoing Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, Standard Bank Group. “With a young population, vast natural resources, fertile soils, and deepening integration, this region has all the ingredients to become a global growth engine. But growth will not happen by accident — it will require collaborative leadership, deliberate investment, and bold action to navigate challenges like youth unemployment, access to affordable credit, and climate change.”
A Platform for Regional Transformation
Launched in 2023, the Stanbic East Africa Business Summit has grown threefold in both scale and influence. Previous editions were held in Kenya and Tanzania, creating a strong foundation for cross-border dialogue. This year marks the first time Uganda is hosting the summit, a milestone that coincides with the transition of regional leadership as Dr Joshua Oigara assumes the role of Regional Chief Executive for East Africa.
“The East Africa Business Summit is a powerful reflection of our region’s shared ambition to build a connected and competitive economy,” said Dr Oigara. “At Standard Bank, we see our role as enabling this transformation by financing trade, fostering innovation, and supporting 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.”
Shaping a Shared Vision
Over the course of the summit, delegates will exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and shape a shared vision for an integrated, resilient, and prosperous East Africa. By bringing together decision-makers from business and government, the platform aims to catalyse actionable solutions that position East Africa as a competitive regional bloc in the global economy.
