AGOA Status: Uganda is eligible for African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) benefits this year. It also qualifies for textile and apparel benefits.
Trade Agreements: The U.S. signed Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFA) with the East African Community (EAC) in 2008, and with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in 2001. Uganda is a member of both EAC and COMESA regional organizations. USTR’s Africa Office is also leading U.S. efforts to forge a new trade and investment partnership with the East African Community.
U.S.-Uganda Trade Facts
In 2019, Uganda GDP was an estimated $30.7 billion (current market exchange rates); real GDP was up by an estimated 4.9%; and the population was 40 million. (Source: IMF)
Uganda is currently our 149th largest goods trading partner with $185 million in total (two way) goods trade during 2019. Goods exports totaled $104 million; goods imports totaled $80 million. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Uganda was $24 million in 2019.
Exports
- Uganda was the United States' 150th largest goods export market in 2019.
- U.S. goods exports to Uganda in 2019 were $104 million, up 19.2 percent ($17 million) from 2018 but down 12 percent from 2009.
- The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2019 were: aircraft ($29 million), plastics ($16 million), machinery ($16 million), electrical machinery ($12 million), and optical and medical instruments ($5 million).
- U.S. total exports of agricultural products to Uganda totaled $5 million in 2019. Leading domestic export categories include: wheat ($2 million), condiments & sauces ($849 thousand), prepared food ($219 thousand), pulses ($189 thousand), and planting seeds ($164 thousand).
Imports
- Uganda was the United States' 127th largest supplier of goods imports in 2019.
- U.S. goods imports from Uganda totaled $80 million in 2019, up 16.7 percent ($12 million) from 2018, and up 160 percent from 2009.
- The top import categories (2-digit HS) in 2019 were: coffee, tea & spice (unroasted coffee) ($56 million), special other (returns ) ($10 million), art and antiques ($2 million), glue & enzymes ($2 million), and precious metal and stone (diamonds) ($2 million).
- U.S. total imports of agricultural products from Uganda totaled $61 million in 2019. Leading categories include: unroasted coffee ($40 million), spices ($16 million), other dairy products ($2 million), nursery products ($2 million), and processed fruit & vegetables ($250 thousand).
Trade Balance
- The U.S. goods trade surplus with Uganda was $24 million in 2019, a 28.3 percent increase ($5 million) over 2018.
Investment
- U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Uganda (stock) was $42 million in 2019, a 2.4 percent increase from 2018.
- Data on Uganda's FDI in the U.S. are not available.
NOTE: No services trade data with Uganda are available.
