The 2026 Stanbic Economic Forum, themed “Uganda’s Inflection Point: Competing in a Rewired Global Economy”, will be streamed live on Stanbic Bank’s YouTube channel on February 12, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Uganda is set to begin commercial sales of its crude oil reserves in western Uganda later this year—a milestone seen as an inflection point for the country’s economy, expected to accelerate GDP growth in the near future.
However, Uganda remains exposed to ongoing geopolitical tensions that are affecting global trade and investment.
A key highlight of the Forum will be insights from Jibran Qureishi, Head of Africa Regions Economic Research at Standard Bank Group, who will share perspectives on regional and global economic trends shaping Africa’s growth trajectory.
Bethuel Karanja, Head of Global Markets at Stanbic Bank Uganda, emphasized the timeliness of the Forum. “Deliberate alignment between policy, private capital, and global opportunities is critical,” he said.
“At Stanbic Bank, we say Uganda is our home, and we take seriously our responsibility to drive her growth. As the country approaches this inflection point, platforms like the Stanbic Economic Forum are essential in fostering dialogue that supports informed decision-making, long-term investment, and economic transformation,” Karanja added.
He noted that the Forum reflects the bank’s ongoing commitment to convening thought leadership and enabling partnerships that support Uganda’s development agenda. “As a leading financial institution in the country, Stanbic Bank plays a key role in mobilizing capital, supporting trade and infrastructure, and enabling businesses to scale competitively within the region and beyond.”
For the past five years, Stanbic Bank has brought together stakeholders from both public and private sectors to assess Uganda’s economic prospects and policy priorities. This year, the Forum will unite policymakers, business leaders, and economic experts to explore how Uganda can strengthen competitiveness and unlock sustainable growth in an increasingly complex global environment.
Discussions will also focus on national planning priorities, emerging investment opportunities, and the role of capital in driving business competitiveness.
