Business & Management
Makerere University Young Entrepreneurs urged to prioritize value addition to enhance their innovation
![[L-R] Dr.Godfrey Akileng - Dean School of Business, Prof. Sarah N. Ssali - Ag. Vice Chancellor, Chief Guest - Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, and Gordon Katwirenabo-Assistant Commissioner, Quality Assurance and Value Addition, MAAIF at the Congress.](https://news.mak.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Entreprenuership-Congress-2025.jpg)
Young entrepreneurs from Makerere University have been urged to focus on value addition, quality and branding if their innovations are to grow into sustainable businesses in the country.
The call was made by several speakers during the opening of the two-day Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and Youth Expo (16th to 17th October 2025) hosted by Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, under the theme, Brewing Prosperity: Youth Entrepreneurship in Uganda’s Coffee Value Chain.
The annual event serves as a national platform for youth, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to unlock youth-driven innovation.
The entrepreneurship congress and expo features over 600 students from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) showcasing more than 300 innovations, with a spotlight on the coffee sector. The expo is among the several initiatives that the University has launched to unlock the entrepreneurship potential of students and youth in Uganda.
According to Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, the move was motivated by the high levels of youth unemployment in the country, which currently stands at 16.1 percent for those aged 18 to 30 (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2024).
Addressing the participants during the Entrepreneurship Congress, the Chief Guest-Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Chair of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, rallied students and youth to embrace entrepreneurship.
“Education can come from strange places. Everyone has gifts, talents, abilities and resources to utilize. In a country with many unmet needs, entrepreneurship is about what you change, he said.
Mr. Rwabwogo stressed the value of local innovation. “Not everything can be commercialised especially in a country that imports 90% of what it consumes. Identify needs that outsiders will never cater for-our language, culture, and food. Those are unique strengths, he remarked.
Mr. Rwabwogo challenged the young entrepreneurs to think beyond Uganda’s borders, when he highlighted that true entrepreneurship lies in producing goods that can compete on the international market.
“When you build a business that can sell in another person’s market, you are a hero or heroine because what you have done is disrupting the status quo, which praises import. In this country, for instance in Kikuubo business area, you hear statements such as my container is about to reach Uganda, and not my container is leaving the yard in Uganda and is taking Ovocado to Spain or another country. I want the language to change.”
Representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University – Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Sarah Ssali noted that the expo comes at a time when youth unemployment stands at 16.1 percent, which informs the university’s move to challenge this growing reality.
“I am glad to note that Makerere University continues to champion innovations and turning graduates from job seekers into job creators, and champions of societal transformation. The expo is Makerere’s attempt to strategically locate itself in the conversation around coffee being the biggest export earner in the country,” she said.
Statistics indicate that Uganda exported 667,037 kilograms of coffee worth US$162.36 million, highlighting the sector’s importance to the economy and its role as a key foreign exchange earner. Despite this, most youth are excluded from high-value segments of the coffee value chain, such as processing, branding, and export, often remaining confined to low-income farm labor.
According to Professor Ssali, this disconnect represents both a critical risk and an unprecedented opportunity. The expo, therefore, serves as a national platform for youth, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to unlock youth-driven innovation across the coffee value chain, from climate-smart farming and agri-tech to processing, branding, and global market access.
She believes that by moving beyond subsistence farming towards ownership, innovation, and high value enterprises, the youth in Uganda can secure a greater share of the global coffee market while catalyzing job creation and sustainable development.
Dr. Sarah Bimbona, Director of the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, said several of the innovations on display have the potential to be scaled into viable enterprises. She added that these new ventures would build on the success of over 150 companies that emerged from previous editions of the entrepreneurship expo.
Dr. Bimbona used the golden opportunity to highlight three requests for support. She appealed for support, noting that the Centre has spent nine years nurturing over 1,000 business ideas annually, yet the impact of these ideas remains difficult to measure due to lack of resources for tracer studies. Commending Mr. Rwabwogo for accepting to become the Patron of the Centre, Dr. Bimbona requested him to amplify the Centre’s reach and support for youth, women and broader economic development.
On opening opportunities, the Centre offers guidance to entrepreneurs free of charge and seeks partnerships to connect student ideas with the industry. “We have the expertise and experience. We just need that extra push to remain relevant in the business community,” she stated.
Dr. Bimbona reiterated the transformative power of mentorship that is provided through the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre.
The Dean, School of Business, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng specified that entrepreneurship is one of the flagship initiatives of the College of Business and Management Sciences. He encouraged the students to seize the moment. “This is your opportunity to showcase your innovations, to interact with industry players, and to change your mindset from job-seekers to job creation,” he said. “Let the entrepreneurship congress awaken a new spirit in you-one that says-yes, I can make it.”
Associate Professor Akileng cited the story of Bill Gates as an example of what determination and innovation can achieve, reminding the students that greatness often starts from simple beginnings. “There is no reason we cannot build something extraordinary from coffee and other local products,” he stated, emphasizing the value of entrepreneurship in national transformation.
The Dean, School of Business, expressed deep appreciation to the industry partners for their collaboration and generosity. “You have invested time, knowledge and financial support to be here. Thank you for supporting the Entrepreneurship Congress and Expo,” he remarked.
Associate Professor Akileng commended Dr. Sarah Bimbona, and the entire entrepreneurship team namely Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Dr. Kasimu Sendawula, Dr. Hanifah Nantale, Dr. Marion Nanyanzi, and Mr. Luke Muhwezi for nurturing student entrepreneurs at Makerere University.
The entrepreneurship congress featured a keynote address, and two panels focusing on: Market Readiness, Value Addition and Story Telling, as well as, Financing the Future.
The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Moses Nyabila, CEO of aBi Development Ltd, urged the government and private sector to establish an export fund to support young entrepreneurs in starting their businesses.
Mr. Nyabila explained that the fund would help young entrepreneurs launch simple start-ups that have the potential to grow into larger enterprises. The fund, he noted, would not only support production, but also empower entrepreneurs to handle basic packaging and export processes. According to him, such an initiative represents a critical form of value addition.
Mr. Nyabila added that such initiatives would help challenge the current status quo, which prioritizes imports over exports. He used the expo as a platform to call on the government to shift the national mindset toward building Uganda’s presence in the global export market.
During the panel discussions, contributors discussed several steps through which the young entrepreneurs can be equipped with skills that can help them to join the competitive market.
Some of the panelists included: Bob Paul Lusembo-Head of Business Growth, BRAC Uganda Bank, Geoffrey Okidi-Financial Deepening Uganda, Nakabuye Flavia Bwire- Inclusion and Microfinance Specialist, and Sectrine Muganzi-Coffee Farmer and Youth Entrepreneur.
Other panelists included Jackline Arinda Akampwera-CEO Jada Coffee, Gordon Katwirenabo-Assistant Commissioner, Quality Assurance and Value Addition, MAAIF, Edwin Danze- Head of Marketing, Next Media Group, and Godwin Birungi- Founder, Rubungi Enterprises.
The different Speakers acknowledged that while Uganda has no shortage of innovations, gaps in value addition and branding continue to undermine product competitiveness, reinforcing the stereotype that Ugandan products are of poor quality.
One of the panelists, Jackline Arinda Akampwera, CEO of Jada Coffee, noted that branding strongly influences perceptions of quality. In the same development, she argued that limited branding is also largely responsible for the misconception that Ugandan products are substandard.
“We have this perception that when we see a brand on a billboard, it must be of good quality. Branding is therefore central to entrepreneurship,” Arinda said. “In Uganda, there’s limited branding and value addition, which affects the marketability of our products,” she said
Arinda shared that before she joined the coffee business, she realized Uganda had no widely recognized coffee brands, despite being a top coffee producer. This inspired her to create a brand that would appeal even to non-coffee drinkers.
“You don’t have to be a coffee consumer to know coffee brands—just like you don’t have to be a football fan to know who Ronaldo is,” she said. “That’s what branding does. Even if people don’t drink coffee, they should know that Jada Coffee exists. I came in to change the way the market operates.”
She added that this lack of branding also explains the low domestic consumption of coffee. To address this, Arinda began introducing coffee at social functions—events that traditionally only offered juices and sodas—as part of efforts to popularize local coffee consumption.
Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner, QA and Value Addition, MAAIF agreed with Arinda. He stated that the government is very intentional in promoting value addition to the country’s produces.
“Value addition is very prominent in our policy framework. If you produce and get only money for production, then there is no value, and then you cannot achieve the economic importance and transformation that we need in our communities. So, through that were are very intentional in supporting value addition,” he said.
On his part, Godwin Birungi, Founder, Rubungi Enterprises noted that while branding is very important, branding alone is not enough if the products themselves lack quality. He argued that the two—branding and quality, must reinforce each other for a business to thrive.
“I realized that there is a need to be consistent in producing high quality products. The more you produce high quality, the more you lift your brand,” he said
A new study led by scientists from Makerere University School of Public Health has demonstrated that short-term climate variability plays a significant role in malaria transmission in Yumbe District, West Nile sub-region of Uganda. The study, Climate variability and malaria incidence trends in Yumbe District, West Nile Sub-region of Uganda (2017–2021), by Lesley Rose Ninsiima, Rogers Musiitwa, Zaitune Nanyunja, James Muleme, Chris Maasaba, Twahiri Anule, and David Musoke, was published in February 2026 in Malaria Journal through Springer Nature Link.
Today, malaria remains a major public health burden in Uganda, where environmental conditions support sustained transmission. Despite persistent outbreaks in northern Uganda, limited local evidence exists on how the changing climate patterns influence malaria trends. This study addressed that gap by examining five years of malaria surveillance data alongside district-level rainfall and temperature records.
Using routine health facility reports from the District Health Information System (DHIS) and climate data from the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), the researchers applied time-series analysis to assess seasonal patterns and delayed climate effects on malaria incidence. Between 2017 and 2021, Yumbe District recorded 2,066,711 malaria cases, with transmission showing clear seasonal peaks between May and July and September and November, aligning with rainy periods.
Their analysis showed that rainfall was the strongest climatic driver of malaria transmission. Increased rainfall was associated with higher malaria cases approximately one month later, reflecting the time needed for mosquito breeding and transmission cycles. In contrast, higher minimum temperatures were linked to reduced malaria incidence, while maximum temperature showed no significant effect. Together, rainfall and minimum temperature explained a substantial proportion of variation in malaria cases, highlighting malaria’s sensitivity to short-term climate fluctuations.
The study findings underscore the value of integrating climate information into malaria surveillance and early warning systems to anticipate transmission peaks and guide timely interventions. Strengthening collaboration between public health and meteorological sectors, the researchers argue, could improve preparedness and support climate-informed malaria control strategies in high-burden settings.
Further details: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12936-026-05824-0
Agriculture & Environment
Mak hosts First African Symposium on Natural Capital Accounting and Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling
African economies are increasingly exposed to climate-related shocks that threaten development gains, fiscal sustainability, and macroeconomic stability. From extreme weather events and biodiversity loss to the depletion of natural capital, climate risks are reshaping economic realities across the continent. Yet many macroeconomic frameworks used in public finance and planning continue to overlook climate and nature-related risks and the long-term benefits of resilience and adaptation investments.
To address this emerging reality, over 250 participants from Africa, Europe and beyond, convened at Makerere University – Kampala, on the 12th and 13th of February 2026, to participate in the First African Symposium on Natural Capital Accounting and Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling.
Following the theme, “Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomics: Rethinking Growth in Africa’s Natural Resource Base, the hybrid symposium organized by Makerere University through the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) within the School of Economics, under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD), and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) in Uganda, brought onboard ministers, leading economists and planners, researchers, policy makers, the academia, development partners, climate change experts and the media.
The Symposium being the first of its kind on the continent, reflected Africa’s growing determination to work collectively in confronting shared development challenges, building on recent momentum such as the formation of Pan-African Finance Ministers Forum for Climate Action (PAFMCA).
Featuring speeches and presentations from notable speakers and partners, a keynote address on Natura Capital Accounting and Climate Change Nexus in Africa and their impact on Fiscal Policy, panel discussions, expert opinions, and exhibition kiosks (World Café), the symposium presented a platform to strengthen Africa’s analytical and institutional capacity to integrate climate and natural capital considerations into macroeconomic and fiscal policy.
Vice Chancellor underscores the role of universities
Welcoming the delegates to Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe emphasized that universities must lead innovation and collaborative research efforts to support collective climate change mitigation across the continent.
In the same vein, he advocated for strong collaboration between universities in Africa and government Ministries. “Makerere’s collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, stands as a shining example of how academia and government can strengthen economic management,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe revealed that the collaboration between Makerere University and the Ministry, has strengthened macroeconomic modelling, fiscal policy analysis, and technical capacity within government. In addition, the partnership led to the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling, bridging academic scholarship with real-world policy application.
“We have jointly established the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling. The Centre (established in August 2025) is anchored within the School of Economics in the Department of Policy and Development Economics, under the Master of Science in Economic Policy and Investment Modelling, a program jointly facilitated by Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Bank of Uganda,” he mentioned.
Climate and Economic transformation are inseparable
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the critical intersection between economic transformation and environmental sustainability, noting that economies in Africa, heavily dependent on natural resources, face unprecedented pressures from climate shocks, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Convinced that economic growth cannot be pursued in isolation from climate and environmental realities, he stressed the importance of integrating natural capital accounting and climate considerations into national development strategies.
Prof. Nawangwe advocated for shared responsibility of universities, research institutions, and policymakers to develop innovative analytical tools, responsive policy frameworks, and strong institutional capacities that promote sustainable growth while safeguarding environmental assets for future generations.
The Vice Chancellor commended UN PAGE and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) for funding the symposium, as well as, other stakeholders namely the European Union and the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (CoFMCA), Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE), National Planning Authority (NPA), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for being reliable partners.
Integrating Climate into Fiscal Policy
During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija underscored the urgency of embedding climate considerations into economic planning.
“As Ministers of Finance, we are often confronted with difficult trade-offs. Our task is to balance the needs of today with sustainability for future generations,” said Hon. Kasaija, in a speech read by Hon. Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties).
The Minister guided that traditional macroeconomic models focusing only on growth, inflation, and fiscal balance are inadequate in an era of climate shocks. He affirmed that African economies are facing interconnected challenges which directly impact economic growth. He stressed that traditional macroeconomic frameworks must evolve to systematically incorporate environmental degradation and climate shocks, whose consequences can no longer be ignored in policy analysis.
“For countries such as Uganda, whose development prospects are closely linked to natural resources and the climate-sensitive sectors, these challenges are not abstract. They affect livelihoods, public finances and long-term economic resilience,” he mentioned.
The Minister emphasized that natural capital accounting and climate-sensitive macroeconomic modelling are vital for valuing natural assets, assessing environmental costs, and guiding sound investment decisions.
Protecting Africa’s Natural Capital
Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar, Minister of State for Environment, emphasized the urgent need to protect Africa’s ecosystems. “Africa stands at a defining crossroads. Our economies remain anchored in natural capital—forests, water resources, biodiversity, land, and ecosystems—which sustain life, generate fiscal revenue, and underpin development,” she said.
She warned that climate-related shocks are already undermining growth and public investment. “Floods, droughts, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and water stress are no longer distant risks. They are present realities, already affecting productivity and macroeconomic stability,” she said.
She emphasized the need for improved economic models that account for environmental and climate risks: “Traditional macroeconomic frameworks have not adequately captured climate risks or the long-term economic benefits of resilience and adaptation. This limits our ability to make informed policy decisions as Africa pursues economic transformation, energy security, and fiscal stability,” she stated.
Hon. Anywar highlighted collaboration with GIZ, Makerere University, and government ministries, which led to the development of the MONCAP (Model for Natural Capital Policy Assessment). “This tool is being used to assess natural capital assets for climate change, energy transition, and their linkages to the macroeconomy. It supports budgeting by estimating the cost of depleted natural capital assets,” she said.
“Water security, forest conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation are not costs. They are investments in Uganda’s long-term economic stability, productivity, and prosperity.”
Stakeholders urged to transform climate threats into opportunities
Adam Sparre Spliid, the Deputy Head of Mission, Danish Embassy said: “Integrating climate risk and natural capital into our macroeconomics frameworks is not only academic exercise, it is a massive de-risking strategy for private investment. By bridging the gap between government policy and planning, academia and research, and the private markets, we transform climate threats into tangible opportunities.”
Sustainability includes youth, jobs and human well-being
Dr. Steven Stone, Chair of the UN PAGE Management Board, emphasized that sustainability extends beyond the environment to encompass youth, jobs, economic growth, and human well-being. “While the environment is Africa’s foundational source of wealth, sustainable development requires balancing ecological stewardship with economic progress, including income and employment for the youth which are critical priorities for countries such as Uganda.”
Dr. Stone highlighted that UN PAGE, originating from the Rio+20 Conference, supports climate-sensitive economic policy in Africa, emphasizing that dialogue, scenario-building, cross-sector collaboration, and strong partnerships are key to advancing sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient development.
Africa’s Wealth Declining
In the keynote address titled, Natural Capital Accounting and Climate Change Nexus in Africa and their Impact on Fiscal Policy, Paul Jonathan Martin, Manager of Environmental Operations at the World Bank for Eastern and Southern Africa, and a specialist with over 30 years in climate and natural resources, warned that Africa’s overall wealth is under threat due to declining renewable natural capital.
“Produced capital has increased by 20%, human capital by a third, but renewable capital has declined by 30%,” Martin said. “When combined, Africa’s overall wealth trajectory has been weakening since 2010.”
He stressed that natural resources must be treated as economic assets requiring systematic accounting: “Africa’s rich natural resources are fundamental for sustainable development,” he said.
Citing examples from Ethiopia and Kenya, he highlighted successful integration of natural capital into public investment and budget decisions. “In Ethiopia, there are payments for ecosystems and investment prioritization tools. In Kenya, natural capital accounting integration into budgets has strengthened public investments. Climate change has deep, cascading effects across sectors, but Africa has major potential to lead climate solutions,” he said.
Martin also highlighted the economic benefits of climate adaptation: “From 2020–2050, the cumulative effect of adaptation on Uganda’s GDP is positive. Without action, under a dry/hot climate future, GDP could significantly deviate from projected growth paths.”
Drawing on insights from over 70 country climate and development reports produced by the World Bank, the keynote speaker highlighted the profound macroeconomic impacts of climate change across Africa. He stressed the importance of integrating climate and natural capital into macroeconomic planning. He noted that Africa’s forests, water systems, and biodiversity are vital for sustainable development but face growing threats from climate change, environmental degradation, and climate-related disasters that undermine productivity, public investment, and economic stability.
He observed that traditional macroeconomic models often fail to capture the value of natural assets and regulating ecosystem services, which are critical to both economic stability and resilience but are largely excluded from GDP calculations.
Africa-Led Solutions
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), stressed the importance of developing African-led solutions. “We need to champion the Africa-led model. We need approaches that fit our unique context. Africa is not here to take in other frameworks blindly,” he said.
By supporting research, training, policy dialogue and modelling innovation, the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) positions Makerere University as a regional hub for advancing climate-sensitive macroeconomic policy across Africa.
He highlighted CEACM’s capacity-building programs: “Our goal is to ensure African Ministries of Finance have home-grown expertise to integrate climate and natural capital considerations into fiscal and macroeconomic policy. This is critical for long-term resilience and sustainable development,” he said.
The Principal explained that establishment of independent research centres enables Makerere University to go beyond traditional academic instruction and focus deeply on societal challenges, particularly those related to climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
He reported that the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling is structured to advance methodological innovation, develop new data systems, and strengthen climate-sensitive macroeconomic tools that are tailored to the African context.
MONCAP Model for Policy Assessment
Dr. Peter Babyenda, a member of faculty at CoBAMS, demonstrated MONCAP (Model for Natural Capital Policy Assessment), which integrates climate and natural capital variables into fiscal and macroeconomic planning.
“MONCAP allows policymakers to estimate the economic cost of depleting natural assets such as forests, wetlands, and water resources. It helps simulate policy options and determine how investments in natural capital yield long-term benefits,” Babyenda said. “We came up with this model to aid the Ministry of Water and Environment. This model is open—you can extend it,” he added.
He highlighted capacity-building initiatives, including short courses and the Master of Science in Macroeconomic and Investment Modelling, designed to train economists to incorporate natural capital and climate into policy planning.
International Perspectives
Sweetman Liam, Ireland’s Finance Minister, highlighted the economic value of ecosystems: “There is a deeper value of landscapes in flood prevention and biodiversity. Decision-making was informed, and people started understanding economic value,” he said.
Prof. Chukwuone Nnaemeka of the University of Nigeria emphasized collaboration with national statistical agencies: “We coordinate with the National Bureau of Statistics to develop natural capital accounting metrics. Increase the use of Natural Capital Accounting in decision-making,” he stated.
Technical and Parallel Sessions
The afternoon session featured three parallel sessions focusing on Natural Capital Accounting Methodologies and Best Practices, Climate-Sensitive Fiscal and Economic Modelling, and Natural Capital Accounting and Model Uptake and Use.
Drawing on diverse expertise, the panels highlighted innovative approaches and demonstrated that natural capital is not an environmental afterthought, but a central pillar of sustainable economic and policy planning.
The first day of the African Symposium drew to a close with interactive exhibitions at the World Café, where case studies and practical demonstrations highlighted innovative approaches to integrating climate and natural capital into economic planning. Participants actively engaged in discussions and networking, forging collaborations that promise to advance climate-sensitive fiscal and development strategies across Africa, setting a strong and optimistic tone for the days ahead.
Business & Management
First African Symposium underscores the role of the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling
During the First African Symposium on Natural Capital Accounting and Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling held on 12th and 13th February 2026 at Makerere University-Kampala, notable speakers and experts urged government ministries and universities to initiate institutionalized approaches and frameworks to mitigate the natural capital account threats in Africa.
The discourse centred on the theme, Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomics: Rethinking Growth in Africa’s Natural Resource Base, which explored innovative approaches to integrate natural capital and climate risks into economic planning. The symposium highlighted that Africa’s economic transformation must be climate-informed and resilience-driven.
Committed to African-led capacity building, Makerere University is taking the lead in engaging other African universities to support fiscal policy in climate change modelling and analysis.
The participants and stakeholders across the globe lauded Makerere University, for partnering with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD), to establish the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM).
Highlights about the CEACM
During the symposium, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences-Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Dean of the School of Economics-Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dr. Peter Babyenda, Dr. Wilson Asiimwe and other members of faculty, articulated the mandate of the CEACM.
Situated at Makerere University, CEACM is anchored within the School of Economics in the Department of Policy and Development Economics, under the College of Business and Management Sciences. It is aligned with the Master of Science in Economic Policy and Investment Modelling, a program jointly facilitated by Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Bank of Uganda.
Promotion of Africa-led Modelling
Addressing the participants, the University leadership and faculty, highlighted the Centre’s strong commitment to Africa-led modelling, as its key distinguishing feature.
According to Prof. Nawangwe, the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling-is a strategic initiative addressing Africa’s climate, environmental, and fiscal challenges.
Citing Africa’s unique economic realities such as heavy reliance on natural capital, widespread informality and heightened vulnerability to climate shocks, the Centre prioritizes the development of analytical frameworks that are rooted in local contexts rather than merely adapting externally developed models. This approach ensures that policy interventions, recommendations, and investment strategies are firmly grounded in the specific economic, environmental, and social dynamics of African countries.
University-Government collaboration to safeguard Africa
The Vice Chancellor stated that the Centre builds on a strong partnership between Makerere University and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), creating a direct bridge between academic training and real-world policy application. Through this structure, the Centre is preparing a new generation of economists equipped to embed climate considerations into macroeconomic analysis and public financial management.
“Our collaboration with the Ministry stands as an example of how academia and government can work together to strengthen economic management. This partnership has advanced macroeconomic modelling capacity, supported fiscal policy analysis, strengthened public investment management systems and enhanced training for economists and planners across government institutions,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe observed that African economies remain deeply dependent on natural resources for livelihoods, public revenues and structural transformation, yet these resources are under increasing stress from climate shocks and ecological decline. In this context, he noted that economic transformation can no longer be pursued in isolation from environmental sustainability. The Centre was therefore established to strengthen analytical tools, policy frameworks and institutional capacities that integrate climate risks, natural capital accounting and long-term fiscal resilience into macroeconomic modelling.
He noted that the Centre strengthens Uganda’s contribution to continental and global climate finance and policy platforms, including the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (CFMCA) and the Pan-African Coalition of Finance Ministers on Climate Action (PAFMCA). By supporting research, training, policy dialogue and modelling innovation, the Centre positions Makerere University as a regional hub for advancing climate-sensitive macroeconomic policy across Africa.
Capacity-Building Support for Climate and Nature-Resilient Economic Policies
Tackling the role of universities in Climate Fiscal Policy, Prof. Bbaale commended the strong collaboration between Makerere University and government through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, which provides a platform for academia-policy interface.
Additionally, the partnership of Makerere University, the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD), the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM), with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), positions the University, as an active technical partner to the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (CFMCA).
Academic training, research and policy engagement
Firmly grounded in Makerere University’s three core pillars of academic training, research, and policy engagement, the Centre brings these pillars to life by equipping students and practitioners with robust analytical skills, producing rigorous and policy-relevant research, and translating evidence into actionable insights that directly inform decisions shaping economies and communities across Africa.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the establishment of independent research centres enables Makerere University to go beyond traditional academic instruction and focus deeply on societal challenges, particularly those related to climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss.
He reported that the Centre is structured to advance methodological innovation, develop new data systems, and strengthen climate-sensitive macroeconomic tools that are tailored to the African context.
Interventions on Climate issues in Africa
Prof. Bbaale outlined the following interventions being undertaken by Makerere University to address climate issues in Africa.
- Academic anchoring through the Master of Science in Macroeconomic and Investment Modelling at the School of Economics
- Establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling, which serves as a capacity building arm for PAFMCA
- Research that integrates Natural Capital Assets into National Policy and Fiscal planning
- Capacity building through short term courses at CEACM
- Publications featuring the MoFPED and Makerere University CEACM research efforts
Prof. Bbaale informed the audience that in collaboration with the respective government ministries and sectors, Makerere University is taking the lead in drafting fiscal policy briefs using existing Natural Capital Accounts (NCA) to inform Macro-Fiscal Policies.
CEACM Shaping Uganda’s Policy landscape
Building on to Prof. Bbaale’s presentation, Dr. Peter Babyenda- a member of faculty at the School of Economics, presented the Model for Natural Capital Policy Assessment (MONCAP). With support from GIZ Uganda, the EfD Centre at Makerere University, and the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling, developed the MONCAP model for the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) in collaboration with MoFPED, Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), National Planning Authority (NPA) among other stakeholders. The MONCAP model represents a holistic government approach to embedding environmental sustainability within national economic planning frameworks.
Dr. Babyenda explained that the model was developed in response to Uganda’s ambitious development trajectory, particularly the country’s 10-fold growth strategy under the National Development Plan. The model integrates natural capital accounting into macroeconomic analysis, thereby enabling policymakers to quantify environmental assets, assess climate risks and emissions, and evaluate how economic activities impact the country’s natural resource base.
Beyond tool development, Dr. Babyenda underscored the Centre’s commitment to capacity building through trainings, short courses, in addition to the Master of Science in Macroeconomic and Investment Modelling, which started this academic year (August 2025).
“To ensure capacity and produce more modellers, we are offering short courses on integrating climate and natural capital into macro models, as well as, the Master of Science in Macroeconomic and Investment Modelling. We call for continuous collaboration between policymakers, academia, and development partners so that we can develop more of these models,” he submitted.
Integrating data into macroeconomic models
Dr. Wilson Asiimwe, Senior Lecturer at the School of Economics, stressed the importance of integrating climate and natural capital data directly into macroeconomic models. He explained how forests, water, fisheries and land, which are vital for GDP and carbon sequestration, can be systematically incorporated into tools such as multiplier and CGE models using an Environmental Social Accounting Matrix.
“The first step is preparing the Social Accounting Matrix that captures all economic transactions in an economy—the demand and supply relationships among all economic agents. To integrate climate issues into CGE or multiplier models, you must map climate and natural capital data onto the existing Social Accounting Matrix of the country,” he said.
He elaborated that these models allow policymakers to simulate policy scenarios from forestry investments and infrastructure development to energy transitions, linking environmental outcomes to GDP, employment, revenue, and sectoral performance. By capturing emissions, resource use, and climate risks, Dr. Asiimwe emphasized that this approach provides actionable insights for sustainable growth, green investment, and climate-resilient planning in Uganda.
Symposium Outlook
By hosting the inaugural African Symposium on Natural Capital Accounting and Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling, the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM-established in August 2025) reinforced its role as a continental hub for research, training, and policy dialogue. The symposium was supported by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (UN PAGE), with thanks to the generous contribution of its funding partners -European Union, Germany, Finland, Norway, Korea, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland.
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