This report presents the estimates of the volume and value of informal (unrecorded) trade between Uganda and her neighbors.

Findings reveal that Uganda’s informal exports increased by 3.1 percent to US$566.6 million in 2023 from US$549.8 million recorded in 2022. The share of informal exports to total exports was 8.2 percent in 2023 compared to 13.3 percent recorded in 2022. On the other hand, informal imports amounted to US$ 124.0 million in 2023, an increase of 56.3 percent from US$79.3 million recorded in 2022. Total imports amounted to US$ 11,905.9 million, an increase of 21.2 percent in comparison to US$9,827.1 million recorded in 2022. In 2023, Industrial products dominated informal exports amounting to US$ 362.1 million. DR Congo took the largest share of Uganda’s informal industrial exports amounting to US$ 250.3 million, followed by South Sudan which increased to US$ 58.2 million.

Agricultural commodities traded under ICBT are predominantly raw materials with virtually no value added. Under ICBT, no standards and quality control measures are observed hence adversely impacting on the price competitiveness of the traded product.

For more insights, please visit:

https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ICBT-REPORT-2024-RELEASE.pdf