Standard Bank Group’s Head of Africa Regions Economic Research, Jibran Qureishi, will headline the 2026 Stanbic Economic Forum, set to take place on February 12, with proceedings streamed live on Stanbic Bank Uganda’s YouTube channel starting at 8:30am.
Held under the theme “Uganda’s Inflection Point: Competing in a Rewired Global Economy,” this year’s forum comes at a pivotal moment for the country as it prepares to commence commercial oil production before the end of the year. The start of crude sales from western Uganda is widely viewed as a turning point expected to accelerate GDP growth and reshape the country’s economic trajectory.
However, even as Uganda stands on the brink of oil-driven expansion, it faces a complex global environment marked by geopolitical tensions that continue to disrupt international trade and investment flows.
Qureishi is expected to provide insights into regional and global economic trends shaping Africa’s growth path, offering context on how Uganda can position itself competitively within a rapidly evolving global economy.
Bethuel Karanja, Head of Global Markets at Stanbic Bank Uganda, said the forum comes at a time when deliberate alignment between government policy, private capital, and global opportunity is critical.
“At Stanbic Bank, we say Uganda is our home, and we take seriously our responsibility to drive her growth. As the country approaches this inflection point, platforms like the Stanbic Economic Forum are essential in fostering dialogue that supports informed decision-making, long-term investment, and economic transformation,” Karanja said.
He added that the forum reflects the bank’s continued commitment to convening thought leadership and enabling partnerships that support Uganda’s development agenda.
“As a leading financial institution in the country, Stanbic Bank plays a key role in mobilising capital, supporting trade and infrastructure, and enabling businesses to scale competitively within the region and beyond,” he said.
For the past five years, Stanbic Bank has brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to assess Uganda’s economic prospects and policy priorities. This year’s edition will convene policymakers, business leaders, and economic experts to examine how the country can strengthen competitiveness and unlock sustainable growth amid global economic uncertainty.
Discussions are expected to focus on national planning priorities, emerging investment opportunities, and the role of capital in driving business competitiveness in an increasingly complex and interconnected global landscape.
