At the 2025 Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Gen. Jeje Odongo, passionately advocated for a more connected and economically integrated Africa, calling for the establishment of a “continental single market” as a pathway to shared prosperity.
During a panel discussion themed “Connecting Africa: A Prospect for Continental Integration,” Gen. Odongo emphasized the need to enhance Africa’s connectivity, not only through physical infrastructure but also through trade networks and digital platforms.
“We must uplift Africans into the money economy. Value addition, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and building a single continental market are essential for Africa’s prosperity,” Gen. Odongo stated.
His remarks come amid growing momentum for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to integrate 1.4 billion people into one economic bloc. Gen. Odongo positioned Uganda as a key advocate for this integration, promoting inclusive policies that benefit both smallholder farmers and large-scale investors.
On the sidelines of the forum, Gen. Odongo engaged in several high-level bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Uganda’s global partnerships and enhancing its role in multilateral diplomacy.
In a meeting with H.E. Yvangil Pinto, Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, both countries agreed to fast-track the implementation of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in key sectors and to convene the Uganda-Venezuela Joint Permanent Commission in September 2025. They also discussed Uganda’s leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and pledged mutual support in advancing the interests of developing nations.
Gen. Odongo also met with H.E. Jurai Blanar, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, to lay the groundwork for a formal cooperation framework. The two ministers agreed to coordinate more closely in international forums and explore opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, and education.
Africa’s regional security was another major focus in Gen. Odongo’s bilateral meetings with regional counterparts. In discussions with Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the focus was on strengthening bilateral ties and reinforcing East African Community (EAC) efforts to mediate conflicts in South Sudan, Sudan, and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a separate meeting with H.E. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the two reaffirmed their commitment to joint action in addressing emerging regional security threats and pledged to adopt a holistic approach to peace and stability in the Great Lakes region.
Gen. Odongo also engaged with Mr. Deodat Maharaj, Managing Director of the UN Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, to explore potential cooperation on capacity-building and innovation.
Uganda’s participation at the Antalya Forum showcased a comprehensive foreign policy strategy: advocating for continental integration, strengthening South-South cooperation, enhancing regional security partnerships, and pursuing technology-enabled development.
The emphasis on “One Market, One Future” aligns with Uganda’s long-standing advocacy for Pan-Africanism and economic self-reliance. By advocating for increased intra-African trade, FDI attraction, and digital infrastructure, Odongo’s message was not only timely but also in harmony with the broader goals of the African Union and AfCFTA.
The Antalya engagements also reflect Uganda’s strategic positioning ahead of its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement. The country is positioning itself as a bridge between Global South partners and emerging global governance frameworks.
Minister Odongo’s message at the Antalya Forum was clear: connectivity is not a luxury—it is a necessity for sustainable development, peace, and global competitiveness. As he continues to build bridges across continents and forums, the challenge now is to ensure that rhetoric translates into tangible policies, and those policies lead to transformation at home.