By David Rupiny
The Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has won the prestigious Special Least Developed Countries (LDC) Award at the WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2025, held during the World Investment Conference in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
The award by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) recognizes the outstanding achievements of UIA in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), facilitating investment, promoting economic growth, and sustainable impact.
UIA entered five interesting investment projects: the Women in Business (innovative investment promotion), Modern Tiles (excellence in investment facilitation), Amafh Macadamia Farm (sustainability), Zembo Electric Bikes (excellence in aftercare), the Presidential Investor Roundtable (voice of investors), and Rising Woman (annual report).
Other IPAs that received the award after UIA are ANAPI from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania Investment & Special Economic Zone Authority.
The Special Least Developed Countries (LDC) awards are given by WAIPA to recognize outstanding achievements by Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from LDCs.
The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards highlight innovative practices in investment promotion and sustainable development within these countries.
WAIPA celebrated outstanding achievements in global investment promotion during a glittering Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on the opening evening of the 29th World Investment Conference (WIC), held at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP).
The event, hosted in collaboration with Invest in Sharjah, brought together high-level policymakers, investors, and representatives of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) from around the world.
The Executive Director and CEO of WAIPA, Ismail Ersahin, said: “These awards showcase the innovation, commitment, and collaboration driving global investment promotion. We warmly congratulate all our winners and recognize the new energy that their achievements bring to sustainable development through FDI.”
Mohamed Yousef Mulla Yaqoub, the President of WAIPA, said: “It is a privilege to witness the growing sophistication of IPAs worldwide. Each of the winners exemplifies how strategic investment promotion can accelerate development, create jobs, and support a more sustainable global economy.”
The evening concluded with a networking dinner accompanied by live performances showcasing Sharjah’s cultural heritage, providing delegates a warm welcome to the UAE.
WAIPA and the awards program
WAIPA is a global non-governmental organization that provides a forum for IPAs from over 100 countries to network, share best practices, and collaborate. By offering special LDC awards, WAIPA acknowledges the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these nations. The awards program helps to:
- Promote innovative strategies among IPAs.
- Highlight the importance of investment facilitation for sustainable development.
- Showcase successful investment projects that can serve as models for other LDCs.
2025 Award Winners
The WAIPA Investment Excellence Awards 2025 recognized exemplary performance in investment promotion, facilitation, and sustainable impact.
Winners were selected by an independent jury of global experts.
Special LDC Awards — Uganda Investment Authority, ANAPI (DR Congo), and Tanzania Investment & SEZ Authority
AI Trailblazer Award — Invest Korea
Innovative Investment Promotion Campaign — Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
Excellence in Investment Facilitation — Invest India
Sustainability Impact — ApexBrasil
Excellence in Aftercare — Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
Voice of Investors — Invest Minas (Brazil)
Outstanding Dedication & Excellence in Hosting WIC 2025 — Invest in Sharjah
About World Investment Conference
Since its inception in 1995, WIC has been the flagship event of WAIPA, serving as a premier platform for dialogue on global investment trends. It brings together decision-makers, senior government officials, and international investors from around the world to examine key economic developments that affect FDI flows and explore new avenues for global cooperation and economic integration. The agenda includes high-level plenary sessions, ministerial roundtables, ambassador-investor discussions, and networking activities that foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.
About WAIPA
With 130+ member IPAs representing over 110 nations, WAIPA serves as the primary agency promoting investment promotion and facilitation. By encouraging FDI and highlighting the role of its members, WAIPA continues to drive global economic growth and development.
