We can achieve an equitable and inclusive economy with deeper investment in existing and growing sustainable sectors.
IGEN-EA believes a strong economy is a diverse and sustainable economy. We are working to achieve investment and growth of the following four key sectors in East Africa, which already support millions of families. With proper investment in clean energy, tourism and conservation, forests and natural resources, and agriculture and fishing, these sustainable economic sectors have the capacity to generate income and vital resources for generations to come.
Tourism & Conservation: Research Brief: Tourism Opportunities of Bugoma Forest
This research established that tour operators and other stakeholders feel that Bugoma forest’s location and biodiversity can be harnessed to promote tourism.
This research also established that the annual income that could be derived from promoting chimpanzee and Ugandan mangabey trekking, bird watching and nature walks in Bugoma forest is $547,500. Jobs in the form of accommodation, provision of food, tour guides and crafts making for communities among others could also be created.
This research recommends that Bugoma forest be turned into a national park by government and is put under the management of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to realise the forest’s tourism potential.
This research brief has been produced by the Inclusive Green Economy Network-East Africa (IGEN-EA) as part of IGEN-EA’s efforts to promote green economic alternatives in Uganda.
Agriculture: A Case of Women Beekeepers in Kyakabonga oil refinery resettlement.
The brief discusses the opportunities and challenges of apiculture (beekeeping) in the Albertine Graben and makes recommendations to scale up this green economic activity for livelihood enhancement and environmental conservation.
The brief was produced under the leadership of AFIEGO and the IGEN-EA Natural Resources as well as the Agriculture working groups.
Clean Energy:
Our future is renewable
The renewable industry is growing. In 2018, the solar industry grew by 10% and generated ~$18 million in tax revenue for the Ugandan government.
Only 42 percent of Ugandans have access to electricity, but this number is rising as renewable energy technology improves.
Uganda is home to the Soroti Power Station, the largest privately funded solar project in East Africa which provides clean energy to 40,000 homes.
New research suggests that decentralized renewable energy could increase smallholder farmers’ yields and income.
Tourism & Conservation: Bustling local economies today & tomorrow
Tourism is an economic driver in Uganda’s, accounting for 7.7 percent of Uganda's GDP
The tourism sector provides more than 667,000 jobs to Ugandans.
Despite driving significant economic growth, tourism accounts for less than one percent of the government’s annual budget.
Natural Resources & Forestry: Conserving our lands for future benefits
Forestry, agriculture, and fishing contribute to around 23.1 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP).
Forestry is estimated to employ about 1 million people across Uganda, comprising of 100,000 people in the formal sector and 900,000 people in the informal sector.
The World Bank approved $148.2 million in funding last year to help Uganda improve forest management, but more funding is critical to increase sustainability and grow the sector.
Agriculture & Fishing: Growing & feeding our economies
Agriculture employs 72 percent of the total labor force in Uganda — 77 percent of whom are women and 63 percent of whom are youth.
Agriculture contributes to around 24.7 percent to the national gross domestic product (GDP).
Fishing is a key sector in Uganda and is worth about $703.7 million annually.
While agriculture and fishing are one of Uganda’s greatest economic assets, they account for a mere three percent of the national budget.