Uganda targets US$1.4T global Halal market with new certification agreement

UGANDA – Former Ugandan Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi announced a new initiative to position Uganda as a key player in the global Halal market, which is currently valued at over US$1.4T.

President Yoweri Museveni has tasked Mbabazi with ensuring that Uganda capitalizes on this lucrative sector.

Mbabazi made this announcement during the signing ceremony of a pioneering cooperation agreement aimed at improving Uganda’s Halal certification standards.

The agreement, signed in Kampala, unites the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), and the Uganda Halal Bureau (UHB) in a collaborative effort to enhance the country’s Halal certification system to meet the standards set by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“President Museveni assigns me the responsibility of ensuring Uganda benefits from the global Halal market,” said Mbabazi.

“This market offers immense opportunities for our country, and we must position ourselves to take full advantage.”

Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, the Mufti of Uganda, signed on behalf of UMSC, with Hadji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, the Secretary General, acting as a witness.

Also, representing IUIU is Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda, with Counsel Sewankambo Hamza, the University Secretary, as a witness.

Mbabazi outlines the expected benefits of Ugandan Halal-certified products entering the global market, including industrial growth, job creation, foreign earnings, human resource training, and poverty alleviation.

The global Halal market is projected to reach nearly US$3.0T by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 5.6%.

As of 2020, the market was valued at US$7.2T.

Halal food refers to foods and beverages prepared according to rigorous Islamic dietary laws, including specific packaging and storage requirements.

Increasing disposable income in leading Islamic nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Iran is expected to drive the expansion of the Halal products market even further in the coming years.

Halal food items have gained popularity among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers, evolving from a religious identifier to a symbol of food safety, hygiene, and reliability.

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NORWAY- The Norwegian Seafood Council has appointed Johnny Håberg as its new seafood envoy to Africa, starting in the summer of 2024.

Johnny is replacing Trond Kostveit, who has been leading the Seafood Council’s initiatives in Central and West Africa since 2016.

This marks Håberg’s return to the Council nearly a decade after he served as the envoy to Brazil from 2010 to 2015.

Previously, Håberg served as Export Director at Salmon Brands until 2017.

Additionally, he has been holding the CEO position at media agency giant OMD/Omnicom Media Group from 2004 to 2010.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Håberg stated, “I feel very privileged to be able to work to promote some of our most traditional seafood products in Central and West Africa. This is a continent that undoubtedly has a bright future and will offer great opportunities for the Norwegian seafood industry in the years to come.”

Director of global operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council, added, “We are looking forward to benefiting from Johnny’s background and experience, particularly in gathering data and translating it into market insights, and in addressing market access issues.”

 Over the past five years, Norwegian seafood exports to Africa have risen to nearly 2 billion kroner, with the main markets being Egypt, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, and Morocco.

The Norwegian Seafood Council is functioning as a marketing communications organization, collaborating with the Norwegian seafood industry to increase the value of Norwegian seafood in both new and established markets worldwide.

NSC is a public company owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, which appoints its board of directors for a two-year period.

NORWAY- The Norwegian Seafood Council has appointed Johnny Håberg as its new seafood envoy to Africa, starting in the summer of 2024.

Johnny is replacing Trond Kostveit, who has been leading the Seafood Council’s initiatives in Central and West Africa since 2016.

This marks Håberg’s return to the Council nearly a decade after he served as the envoy to Brazil from 2010 to 2015.

Previously, Håberg served as Export Director at Salmon Brands until 2017.

Additionally, he has been holding the CEO position at media agency giant OMD/Omnicom Media Group from 2004 to 2010.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Håberg stated, “I feel very privileged to be able to work to promote some of our most traditional seafood products in Central and West Africa. This is a continent that undoubtedly has a bright future and will offer great opportunities for the Norwegian seafood industry in the years to come.”

Director of global operations at the Norwegian Seafood Council, added, “We are looking forward to benefiting from Johnny’s background and experience, particularly in gathering data and translating it into market insights, and in addressing market access issues.”

 Over the past five years, Norwegian seafood exports to Africa have risen to nearly 2 billion kroner, with the main markets being Egypt, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, and Morocco.

The Norwegian Seafood Council is functioning as a marketing communications organization, collaborating with the Norwegian seafood industry to increase the value of Norwegian seafood in both new and established markets worldwide.

NSC is a public company owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, which appoints its board of directors for a two-year period.