Driving Green Growth: HortiFresh Workshop on Transforming the Central Corridor
On 21st August 2025, HortiFresh welcomed stakeholders to a workshop at its premises to deliberate on the transformation of the Central Corridor into a Green Economic Development Corridor (GEDC), an initiative anchored in Pillar V of the Central Corridor Strategic Plan (2021–2025). The gathering, facilitated by Richard Waddington with the support of GIZ and the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), created a space for fresh fruits and vegetables stakeholders to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of building competitive regional value chains.
The conversations were driven by the need to identify constraints facing horticulture exports from Uganda and understand their broader impact on regional value chain development. Participants examined the regulatory and logistical barriers that continue to make exports costly and time-consuming, while also highlighting areas of strategic support that could accelerate the growth of horticulture and other priority regional value chains. Another key thread of discussion centred on the role HortiFresh should play in advancing Uganda’s horticulture sector and strengthening regional integration.
Several important insights emerged from the deliberations. Strengthening intra-regional trade and tapping into markets such as the EAC, EU, and other blocs was seen as critical for competitiveness. Organizing smallholder farmers and setting up aggregation centres to boost volumes and meet export standards was identified as an immediate priority. Participants also emphasized the importance of aligning production with market requirements while improving coordination across the region. The dialogue emphasized that leveraging regional markets can enhance self-sufficiency, drive infrastructure development, and reduce dependency on imports. As a practical step, piloting priority crops like avocado for both regional and international markets was proposed as a way to demonstrate the potential of the GEDC vision.
The workshop not only fostered meaningful exchanges but also reaffirmed the collective commitment of stakeholders to reimagine the Central Corridor as a driver of green, inclusive, and competitive economic growth.
