Uganda: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $31 million. The ten largest product groups made up 41.8% of that total, led by Wheat Flours; Pasta; Stone Processing Machines.

Uganda: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are China, India, UAE. The three largest export partners are UAE, Kenya, S. Sudan.

Uganda: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Packaged Medicaments; Palm Oil. The three largest export products are Gold; Coffee; Raw Tobacco.

Uganda: how big is the economy?

Population 43 million, GDP $25 billion, and $604 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.516.

Uganda: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is -$3.05B in net imports.

Uganda: how do goods from Turkey reach it?

Uganda is landlocked. Goods from Turkey usually arrive through Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and continue by road or rail under transit procedures.

Uganda: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the UNBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. Requests go through the Uganda Electronic Single Window.

Uganda: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Uganda

The Republic of Uganda is located in East-Central Africa and it is bordered by Kenya, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. The population of Uganda is 43 million and its GDP is $25 Billion.

Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 and the current constitution is effective since 1995. English and Swahili are the official languages. Its capital city is Kampala with a population of around 1.5 million people. The country has faced civil wars and conflicts since its independence. The current president came to power in 1986 after a guerilla war.

Uganda’s main import and export partners are China and the United Arab Emirates. Uganda also has strong commercial relations with its border countries. It exports 45% of its products to African countries. Uganda’s economy is driven by agriculture and gold mining. Coffee constitutes 20% of all exports, while gold constitutes 15%.

Turkish Embassy in Uganda was opened very recently in 2010. Since that time, the political and commercial relations developed quickly. Turkish companies have been looking for business opportunities in Uganda, and Turkish Exporters’ Assembly organized the Turkey-Uganda Businss Forum in 2017. Uganda is expected to extract petroleum in 2020 and Turkish companis can find opportunities in the machinery and construction sector.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Uganda with Turkey.

Four charts for Uganda. Population rises from about 24 million in 2000 to 42 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$6 billion to US$26 billion. Total imports run about twice exports, around US$5.7 billion against US$2.8 billion at the end of the period. Trade with Turkey is small in both directions, with imports between about US$25 and US$50 million.

Turkey's exports to Uganda in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Kampala
Official language: English / Swahili
Population: 43 million
GDP: $25 billion
GDP per capita: $604
Human Development Index: 0.516

Top 3 import partners: China, India, UAE
Top 3 export partners: UAE, Kenya, S. Sudan
Top 3 import products: Refined Petroleum, Packaged Medicaments, Palm Oil
Top 3 export products: Gold, Coffee, Raw Tobacco
Trade balance: -$3.05B in net imports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Uganda: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Gateway ports (landlocked): Mombasa, Dar es Salaam
Currency: Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, EAC, COMESA
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Uganda

Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the UNBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. Requests go through the Uganda Electronic Single Window.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$46 million

Top 10 products account for 86.1% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Refined Petroleum	57.8%
Raw Iron Bars	13%
Rubber Tires	3.4%
Industrial Printers	3.3%
Iron Blocks	3.1%
Hot-Rolled Iron	1.7%
Pasta	1.3%
Toilet Paper	1.1%
Other Furniture	0.8%
Iron Structures	0.7%

2017

$31 million

Top 10 products account for 41.8% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Wheat Flours	9.3%
Pasta	6%
Stone Processing Machines	4%
Yeast	3.6%
Insulated Wire	3.6%
Plastic Pipes	3.5%
Utility Meters	3.4%
Mill Machinery	3.2%
Borax	2.8%
Iron Blocks	2.4%

Frequently asked questions

Uganda: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $31 million. The ten largest product groups made up 41.8% of that total, led by Wheat Flours; Pasta; Stone Processing Machines.
Uganda: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are China, India, UAE. The three largest export partners are UAE, Kenya, S. Sudan.
Uganda: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Packaged Medicaments; Palm Oil. The three largest export products are Gold; Coffee; Raw Tobacco.
Uganda: how big is the economy?: Population 43 million, GDP $25 billion, and $604 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.516.
Uganda: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is -$3.05B in net imports.
Uganda: how do goods from Turkey reach it?: Uganda is landlocked. Goods from Turkey usually arrive through Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and continue by road or rail under transit procedures.
Uganda: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the UNBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. Requests go through the Uganda Electronic Single Window.
Uganda: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets