Uppsala, Sweden - May 8, 2023 - The Embassies from the East African Community (EAC) accredited to the Kingdom of Sweden, in collaboration with the Swedish-East Africa Chamber of Commerce (SWEACC) and other strategic partners, successfully kicked off the SWEACC Business & Investment Forum (SWEACC - BIF 2023). This event, aimed at promoting business flow, trade, and investments between Sweden and East Africa, is taking place from May 9th to 11th, 2023 in Uppsala, Sweden.

Under the overarching theme of "Agribusiness and Sustainable Investment and Finance," the SWEACC - BIF 2023 brought together key stakeholders, government officials, business leaders, and academicians from Sweden and the East African region to explore opportunities and foster collaborative partnerships.

Attendees were welcomed to Uppsala University by the Chairman of SWEACC, Jan Furuvald and Ambassador for Trade at the Africa Department at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Louise Bergholm. 

As one of Sweden's most prestigious universities, Uppsala University boasts a rich academic tradition and a strong focus on research and innovation, particularly in the field of agriculture. 

One of the highlights of the event was the participation of Olive Tuyishime, a highly accomplished PhD candidate and expert in the agricultural sector. Olive, who is pursuing her doctoral studies in Soil Sciences, specializing in Agricultural Water Management at the prestigious Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, delivered a captivating presentation on "Partnering with Academia and Research Institutions - Opportunities in Rwandan Agricultural Sector." Her insightful presentation shed light on the immense potential and investment opportunities within the Rwandan agricultural industry.

Having universities in Uppsala actively involved in an agribusiness forum brings forth a unique synergy between academia, industry, and government, fostering knowledge exchange, cutting-edge research insights, and practical applications. The presence of Uppsala University and other universities in the region added a valuable dimension to the forum, offering participants access to the latest advancements in agribusiness, sustainable practices, and technology-driven solutions. This collaboration between universities and the business community creates a fertile ground for nurturing talent, stimulating innovation, and addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of agribusiness in both Sweden and East Africa.

In addition, the forum also included a delegation of 10 representatives assembled by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) and Tearfund Rwanda through the “Catalysing Market prospects for Horticulture smallholder farmers, and SMEs in Rwanda Project" funded by the European Union. The delegation actively participated in a sideline exhibition on the first day and will continue with the rest of the three-day program. The delegates will have the unique opportunity to embark on site visits to prominent locations, including the Green Innovation Park, Uppsala Science Park, and Hamra Gard. These visits provided valuable insights into the innovative practices, cutting-edge technologies, and sustainable solutions employed within the Swedish agribusiness sector.

The SWEACC - BIF proves to be an enriching experience, facilitating dialogue, networking, and collaboration between Swedish and East African enterprises. The forum creates a platform for sharing best practices, exploring investment prospects, and forging long-term partnerships to drive economic growth and sustainability.

The organizing committee, sponsors, and partners were instrumental in making this event a success. Their commitment to fostering business ties between Sweden and East Africa is commendable, and their contributions ensured the success of this forum.