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post updated 12 May 2025

International Investment Drives Visitor Economy Growth In Uganda

Leading African planning, design, architecture and engineering business FBW Group is predicting strong growth in Uganda’s visitor economy as more international investors are attracted by the country’s tourism potential.

Uganda is eyeing a tourism windfall of $5.2 billion in revenue by 2028, with a target of 3.5 million visitors a year over the next five years.

Paul Moores, managing director of FBW, which has its headquarters in the Ugandan capital Kampala, says that ambition is already driving global investment interest.

As a result, FBW, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is currently working on a number of major projects in the sector, including visitor centres and high-end lodge accommodation, and is seeing investor appetite grow.

Moores was speaking in the run up to the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo 2025, which will take place between May 21-24 in Kampala.

The annual event, showcasing Uganda’s unique attractions and promoting the country as a prime destination for tourism, is set to attract international buyers and thousands of trade visitors.

Tourism is already one of the largest sectors in the country’s economy, directly contributing more than 3.6 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2023 and employing about one in every seven workers.

Recognising its future potential, the government in Kampala has launched a number of strategic initiatives, including developing high-quality accommodation.

And in another positive move, a new Uganda Airlines direct flight to the UK – the first in ten years – has been announced and is set to boost visitor numbers further.

Paul Moores FBW Group managing director:

Paul Moores said: “We’re already seeing strong growth in the region’s tourism sector, and we’re working on a number of projects on behalf of international investors, including visitor centres and high-end lodge accommodation.

“There’s a lot of interest in the sector and its potential. It has been reported that private sector investments in tourism infrastructure have grown by 15 per in the past 12 months alone.

“The Uganda Hotel Owners Association has also reported that several international hotel brands are planning new properties in Kampala and near major national parks.

“A Dubai-based investment firm recently confirmed its $122.4m investment in the country, including building high-end hotels in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.

“And the EU and its member states are also set to invest in supporting sustainable and responsible tourism here.

“It all adds up to a positive picture for the visitor economy and we’re proud to be playing our part in that growth journey. We see great potential for investment in tourism projects moving forward.”

FBW has played its part in the development of the visitor economy in Uganda throughout its 30 years of operation in East Africa.

Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Kampala, Uganda, East Africa:

The first Four Points by Sheraton hotel in the country, delivered by FBW, opened its door to guests last year. The hotel in Kampala offers 142 guest rooms and suites, restaurants, bars and a ballroom as well as meeting rooms, swimming pool and fitness centre.

FBW, which has operations in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, delivered a full design and construction service on the project, covering project management, architecture, structural and civil engineering as well as MEP engineering.

The company also delivered Kampala’s first boutique hotel, The Emin Pasha, which is set in two acres of tropical gardens in the centre of the capital. FBW was the architect, project manager and engineer on the luxury 20-room hotel development, which remains a popular destination.

The group’s architects and engineers have also worked on a number of high-profile signature hotel and leisure projects across East Africa.

These include the multimillion refurbishment of the Hotel Umubano in the Rwandan capital Kigali, several bespoke boutique lodges in Rwanda and Kenya and the design of a major international branded hotel in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Stuart Harley, the group’s chief operating officer, said: “The hotel projects we have been involved in have all played their part in raising standards and delivering quality experiences for visitors.”

FBW is a major player in the region’s construction and development sector, working on high-profile infrastructure projects. It has offices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.

The multi-disciplinary planning, design, architecture and engineering group currently has a workforce of more than 30 professionals delivering high value construction and development projects across Africa.

It works with private and institutional clients and over its 30 years of operation has built longstanding relationships a trusted ‘Partner of Choice’.

Its services include pre-design services, development consultancy, building appraisals and condition surveys, project management, architecture, civil and structural engineering, MEP engineering, telecommunication engineering, and other building consultancy services.
For more information on FBW Group and its services please visit www.fbwgroup.com

25 March 2025
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles, Félicité Island, The Seychelles
Architects: Eco-id Architects

photo : Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island

8 March 2025

FBW marks 30 years with more growth plans across Africa

Kampala headquartered FBW Group is celebrating 30 years of quality design, architecture, planning and engineering work with a growing pipeline of work across Africa.

A major player in East Africa’s construction and development sector, the group continues to expand its reach with recent projects in Malawi, Gambia and Somalia.

And as it marks its 30th anniversary, the group’s offices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda are seeing growing opportunities in sectors ranging from low-cost housing and tourism to the oil and gas sector.

FBW is also looking to play its role in the development of data centres, a growing focus of investment in East Africa.

The multi-disciplinary planning, design architecture and engineering group has a workforce of more than 30 professionals delivering high value construction and development projects.

Clinical Research Excellence And Training Open Resource in Malawi:

FBW works with private and institutional clients and over its 30 years has built longstanding relationships a trusted ‘Partner of Choice’ for groundbreaking projects.

It also collaborates with major international organisations on programmes of importance both economically and socially, using its on-the-ground knowledge.

In addition, FBW continues to play a leading part in the development of design, architecture and engineering in East Africa, supporting professional development in the region.

FBW’s recent high-profile projects have included delivering the newly opened Clinical Research Excellence And Training Open Resource (CREATOR) – a postgraduate medical specialist and research training centre in Malawi.

CREATOR building in Malawi:

It is now providing the most sophisticated clinical research training environment in the region and will be truly transformational and life-changing for the African nation.

FBW is also part of the team tasked with delivering the groundbreaking Kigali Green City masterplan in the Rwandan capital.

And in Uganda it led an international team that delivered new eco-friendly headquarters in Kampala for two major United Nations agencies. The new office, handed over at the end of last year, houses the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The World Food Programme (WFP).

FBW Group managing director Paul Moores sees a raft of opportunities for the business in 2025, particularly in the countries where its offices are based.

He said: “A new UN report published in January shows continued robust growth in East Africa and we are well placed to take advantage, helping developers and investors deliver their projects using our strong local knowledge and expertise.

“We’re seeing signs of increasing investment in the region from a variety of sources, both domestically and internationally, and that bodes well for the economic outlook in 2025.

“In Uganda the oil industry continues to develop at pace and we are involved in a number of projects helping provide the infrastructure it needs. We recently completed the creation of an oil field services base camp in the west of the country.

“In Kenya we’re working to help create low-cost housing solutions, while our engineers deliver support to major multi-international manufacturing and food and beverage companies.

“And Rwanda continues to be a strong source of work for us, not least through the Kigali Green City project which is set to continue moving forward this year.”

“The groundbreaking initiative is set to drive Kigali’s sustainable, affordable, green, and inclusive urban growth and we’re looking forward to playing our part in its successful delivery.

Paul added: “We’re also seeing strong growth in the region’s tourism sector, and we’re working on a number of projects on behalf of international investors, including visitor centres and high-end lodge accommodation.

“The health sector is another area where we continue to grow and deliver developments that are truly transformational and life-changing. We’re proud of our partnerships with major international health organisations.

“And as the year begins, we are seeing increasing interest in the design and construction of data centres, which we believe represents an enormous opportunity for East Africa.”

FBW continues to grow its reach beyond its traditional East African base. Paul said: “We’re winning business across Africa, with recent major health projects in Malawi and Gambia and opportunities opening up for us in Somalia. And we continue to grow our links with companies based in South Africa.

“Our aim is to continue to move the business forward by nurturing and attracting top talent. The result is a great team delivering great projects.

“As a multi-disciplinary practice, we are able to draw on a wide skills base and resources for our clients and that is what gives us the edge.

“To succeed in the territories where we operate you have to understand the local legislation and business ethos and that continues to be our strength.”

For more information on its wide portfolio of projects please visit www.fbwgroup.com

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10 December 2024
Kenya’s Masai Mara Conservation Centre Winner, Kenya, East Africa

image © Void Studios
Masai Mara Conservation Centre Kenya Building News
VOID Studios, a UK-based architectural practice, has been awarded the commission to design a new Conservation Centre at Oloololo Gate in Kenya’s Masai Mara, on behalf of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy.

10 December 2024
Kaira Looro 2025 Competition for Nursery School Buildings

Kaira Looro 2025 Competition

18 November 2024
Noom Hotel Abidjan Plateau, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Architects: SAOTA

image courtesy of architects practice
Noom Hotel Abidjan Plateau
In the vibrant heart of Abidjan, where the Plateau region meets the languid sweep of the Ébrié Lagoon, a striking new silhouette has emerged against the skyline. The luxury Noom Hotel Abidjan Plateau, designed by architects SAOTA, continues Abidjan’s modernist legacy, reinterpreted for the present.

29 October 2024
FBW-led international team delivers eco-friendly office project for UN agencies

African based FBW Group has led an international team that has delivered new eco-friendly headquarters in Uganda for two major United Nations agencies.

The leading architecture and engineering firm was appointed to deliver the new combined office in the capital Kampala to house the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The World Food Programme (WFP).

The construction of the multi-million-dollar project on the 2.6-acre site in Mbuya is now complete and the development has been officially handed over.

New office building in Kampala for UNICEF and WFP:

image courtesy of FBW Group

The two organisation’s 350 staff will share the new premises and its facilities. FBW provided full in-house design services and acted as project lead.

FWB Group, which has offices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, has a strong track record of work delivering projects for international agencies in the region, including the United Nations (UN).

UNICEF is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. WFP is the food-assistance branch of the UN and is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation.

FBW’s team worked to create the four-storey office building which includes shared meeting rooms and conference facilities for both organisations.

Sustainability is at the heart of the development, with designers making use of natural ventilation and daylight. The building has been designed to save 20 per cent on energy use, water consumption and material-used in the building.

photograph : UNICEF Uganda/Joseph Balikuddembe/2024

This affords it an EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certificate from the IFC-World Bank, a global standard for green building. The building has also been constructed using locally available materials.

The international team led by FBW was made up of Orbit Design, based in Thailand, providing interior designs; landscaping expert Landmark Studio from South Africa and Mace YMR, from Kampala, appointed as quantity surveyor on the scheme.

FBW has also worked on the project with WFP engineers and architects based in Rome and UNICEF’s New York-based architects and engineers.

FBW Group won the contract through an international open procurement process.

Stuart Harley, FBW’s director of operations, who is based in the group’s Kampala headquarters, said: “The new office development brings together two UN major organisations under one roof, and we’re delighted to have worked with both UNICEF and WFP on this major project for them in Uganda.

“A strong international team has delivered a building that has sustainability at its heart, works within the local landscape and caters for the needs of both these organisations and their staffs.”

He added: “Over a quarter of a century FBW Group has worked with a range of international organisations in Africa, including helping develop facilities for the UN in Tanzania.”

“Many of our present clients are international health and research organisations, bringing first-world specialist facilities to Africa.”

Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s country director in Uganda, said: “This new eco-friendly office demonstrates WFP’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the well-being of our employees, and the strength of partnership.”

Munir Safieldin, UNICEF representative to Uganda, added. “This new climate-smart office building is more than just a workspace; it is a symbol of our commitment to building a sustainable future for the next generation.

“By investing in eco-friendly infrastructure, we are demonstrating to the children of today that their future matters. This building embodies our responsibility to protect not only the most vulnerable, but also the environment they will inherit.”

3 September 2024
Giraffe Water Towers, Serengeti, Tanzania, East Africa
Concept Design: ZOO Architects

images courtesy of architects practice
Giraffe Water Towers, Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa
In Laozi’s classic text the Tao Te Ching, it is written that the quality of existence for all things in nature are determined by the relationship between yin and yang (the aspects of polar opposites) within the “Tao”. The Tao “gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things.

13 August 2024
Abusera Airport, Abusera, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects

Ethiopian Airlines current base at Bole International Airport Addis Ababa which offers no possibilities for significant expansion – photo © Alamy
Abusera Airport Addis Ababa
Ethiopian Airlines Group to build Africa’s largest airport to meet the airlines’ growth forecasts. Design consultancy contract for new airport awarded to the consortium led by DAR and Zaha Hadid Architects.

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African Architectural News

Africa Architectural Projects in 2024 + Key New Property Designs, Winter-Spring, chronological:

16 April 2024
Masai Mara Conservation Centre, Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara, Kenya, East Africa
Masai Mara Conservation Centre, Kenya
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) launched an international open design competition for a new Conservation Centre at the Oloololo Gate, Masai Mara, Kenya, on behalf of Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, the philanthropic arm of travel company Abercrombie & Kent.

30 March 2024
The Seasons Villa Guinea, West Africa

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