The Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) will host the 2nd East Africa Regional Sustainable Natural Fibres Symposium in partnership with the East Africa Alternative Fibres Forum (EAAFF) on Friday, 30 October 2026 at UIRI Namanve Campus.
The symposium is part of UNCTAD's continental programme to promote sustainable natural fibres as alternatives to synthetic fibres and plastics, while supporting value addition, rural industrialisation and climate action.
It will bring together policymakers, researchers, farmers, SMEs, manufacturers, fashion and textile innovators, and development partners from across East Africa and beyond to discuss how Uganda and the region can make better use of their natural fibre resources.
The focus fibres include banana fibre, cotton, sisal, pineapple fibre, bamboo, papyrus, hemp, bagasse (sugarcane) and other emerging fibres.
Key thematic areas
- Promoting natural fibres in the climate action agenda
- Value addition and regional value chains for natural fibres
- Technology and innovation in fibre extraction and processing
- From waste to wealth: creating jobs from agri-residues
- Access to markets, standards and investment opportunities for SMEs and farmers
The symposium also fits within UIRI's mandate under Vision 2040 and NDP IV to support industrialisation through research and technology development.
“Uganda is sitting on a goldmine of sustainable fibres. For decades we have focused on cotton, yet banana stems, pineapple leaves and sugarcane waste are burnt. UIRI has already developed prototype technologies for banana fibre extraction and biodegradable packaging. This symposium will put Uganda at the centre of Africa's natural fibre revolution.”
Live demonstrations
The event will include live demonstrations of fibre extraction, fibre conversion, and applications in textiles, packaging, bio-composites, construction, cosmetics and handicrafts.
UIRI invites researchers, the private sector, academia and farming communities to take part. To attend, RSVP on +256 773 903 310 or +256 784 033 874.
Event poster
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