KAMPALA, UGANDA — Ugandan exporters of food and beverages have been urged to capitalize on a new partnership that opens direct access to the lucrative $2 trillion global halal market.
The Halal Assurance Institute Uganda (HAIU) has partnered with SGS Gulf Limited, a Saudi Arabian firm, to provide local inspection and certification services for halal-compliant products. This move eliminates a major trade barrier, according to Ali Kalema, the executive director of HAIU.
“The partnership now guarantees that Ugandan goods accredited under halal procedures will be accepted in Muslim countries, particularly the Gulf states, with minimal scrutiny,” Kalema said recently during celebrations for World Accreditation Day. Halal-compliant products adhere to Islamic law, particularly in their preparation.
The lack of local certification services had previously been a significant hindrance, forcing exporters to navigate costly and time-consuming international processes. The new partnership will allow Ugandan producers to secure halal certification at home, potentially boosting trade volumes with countries where halal compliance is mandatory for goods like food, beverages, and cosmetics.
Kalema described the certification as an “automatic passport to the global Muslim market, founded on trust, safety and quality.” The process involves detailed audits of farms and processing plants to ensure all stages of production meet both Islamic law and international food safety standards.
The government is optimistic about the new opportunities. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, halal-certified beef exports to the Middle East could reach 4.1 trillion shillings (about $1.09 billion) by 2030, while agriculture value chain exports could more than double to 13.3 trillion shillings (about $3.5 billion).
State Minister for Industry David Bahati presided over the event, which was organized by the Uganda National Accreditation Service.
