Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) Presents the National Technology Conference and Exhibition (NTCE) 2023: Unleashing Engineering Potential for African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Advancement
Kampala; The Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE), the leading professional organization for engineers in Uganda, is pleased to announce the upcoming National Technology Conference and Exhibition (NTCE) 2023.
This prestigious event, scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 17th to Friday, August 18th, 2023, at Hotel Africana, Kampala, will bring together over 500 engineers, stakeholders, students, and the public under the theme “Tapping Engineering opportunities for accelerated African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation.”
The 26th edition of NTCE aims to create a platform where key stakeholders within the engineering fraternity can exchange knowledge, explore innovative ideas, share experiences, present research findings, and discuss cutting-edge technologies and approaches. The conference will feature thought-provoking discussions on leveraging engineering expertise to enhance Uganda’s value proposition within the AfCFTA trade ecosystem, particularly by ensuring the availability of strategic engineering goods and services.
The distinguished Guest of Honour for the 26th NTCE will be the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honourable Thomas Tayebwa, highlighting the significance of this event in the national discourse.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) project, a flagship initiative of Agenda 2063, aims to establish a single market for goods and services across Africa. With a potential population of about 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately USD $3.4 trillion, AfCFTA seeks to eliminate trade barriers and promote intra-African trade. As Uganda prepares to dissolve physical borders within the trade ecosystem, the engineering fraternity will explore the following questions:
(i) What strategic goods and services can Uganda bring to the trade ecosystem once physical borders are dissolved? (ii) How can the country harness its engineering capacity to ensure the availability of strategic domestic engineering goods and services to the wider African market? (iii) What policy frameworks are currently in place to realize these aspirations? (iv) What additional strategic, tactical, and operational measures can enhance Uganda’s capacity to deliver high-value engineering goods and services to the trade ecosystem?
NTCE 2023 will feature comprehensive discussions guided by various sub-themes including innovations, industrialization, agro-processing, engineering standards, multi-lateral infrastructure, mineral exploration and processing, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, digital transformation, transboundary engineering systems, engineering labor mobility, supply chain capability enhancements, and procurement of engineering professional services and works.
While significant efforts are being made at the political level to negotiate policies that unlock AfCFTA’s potential, it is crucial to enhance preparedness at the tactical and operational levels. By maximizing the opportunities presented by a wider intra-African market, Uganda can improve its balance of trade position, elevate GDP per capita to five-digit levels, and achieve sustainable growth towards attaining middle-income status.
Engineers, stakeholders, students, and the public are encouraged to participate in the NTCE 2023 to engage in transformative discussions, network with industry leaders, and explore opportunities for collaboration and advancement within the engineering field. Don’t miss this unique chance to contribute to Uganda’s growth and success within the AfCFTA framework.
