Entebbe International Airport Free Zone
Uganda’s ambition to be positioned as Africa’s top manufacturing and export hub is moving closer to realization with the near-completion of the Entebbe International Airport Free Zone (EIAFZ).
This development marks a significant milestone in the nation’s pursuit of export-led industrialization and inclusive economic transformation.
The EIAFZ, designated as Uganda’s first public Free Zone, achieved an advanced 90% completion rate by the end of FY2024/2025.
This progress is critical to advancing the mandate to establish, develop, and manage Free Zones as key components of the strategy to foster sustainable industrialization and export competitiveness.
The physical infrastructure of the flagship project, situated on 5 acres at Entebbe International Airport, is designed specifically for maximizing logistics and export production.
The amenities include seven production units alongside an integrated trade house. Furthermore, the site includes essential external and horizontal infrastructure that is vital for streamlined trade activities, such as an access road, necessary utilities, and a weighbridge.
The successful establishment and operationalization of this competitive Free Zone is anticipated to directly contribute to the goal of developing SEZs that drive investment and boost exports.
Hez Kimoomi Alinda, Executive Director of the Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority (UFZEPA), says interest in the Entebbe International Airport Free Zone is already gaining momentum:
“We are already seeing strong interest from companies in key export sectors such as coffee processing, horticulture, and other value-addition industries, many of which are actively prospecting the space with clear plans to install their machinery and commence operations. We invite more developers and export-oriented investors to apply for the use of this facility, or to engage with us at our Kampala offices to discuss prospecting opportunities in other strategic regions across the country.”
The Authority views the establishment of such facilities as central to accelerating economic growth by providing structured infrastructure necessary for manufacturers focused on international trade.
This facility, by providing this crucial infrastructure, will help unlock Uganda’s potential as a competitive player in regional and global markets.
Although this facility has achieved substantial progress, its full operational status was previously hampered by constraints, including limited development budget allocations which delayed the completion and operationalization of the public Free Zone. The ongoing plan includes finalizing the remaining civil works and completing the upgrading of utilities for the EIAFZ, encompassing power, water, ICT, and roads, to ensure the zone is fully optimized for manufacturing and export enterprises.
Once fully functional, the EIAFZ will play a pivotal role in strengthening export promotion programs and enhancing Uganda’s integration into regional and global supply chains. The success of this major public investment is integral to the broader effort to leverage Special Economic Zones as central drivers of trade and industrialization.
