Digital innovation In Uganda- The Pearl of Africa

Uganda stands out among East African countries not only for its impressive internet penetration, surpassing 45%, but also for its rapid digital growth and transformation. With robust access to digital tools, young innovators in Uganda benefit from numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing digital literacy, such as the National ICT Initiatives Support Programme (NIISP) and various coding bootcamps. Despite these advancements, the country still grapples with unemployment challenges.
Kampala, known for its vibrant tech ecosystem, is supported by hubs like Hive Colab and Outbox Hub. However, the digital divide persists in some regions, raising the question: What measures is the nation taking to ensure comprehensive digital literacy across the entire country?
To address this, the Digital Skills for an Innovative East Africa – Innovators Sprint Up Programme, led by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is bridging this digital divide. This initiative aims to build the capacity of over 300 young innovators across the seven East African countries, with at least 40% women. Executed by the Association of Startups and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK), in partnership with a consortium of Entrepreneur Support Organizations including E4Impact Foundation, Ennovate Ventures, Aclis, Koneta Hub, and Cinolu Hub, the program spans seven East African countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The project successfully received 1,666 applications and carefully selected 210 young innovators who are currently undergoing capacity-building training.
The rigorous capacity-building program has already commenced, focusing on crucial modules such as Design Thinking, Business Modelling, Marketing, Sales and Negotiations, Financial Accounting, Commercialization, and Intellectual Property Protection. Following these modules, young innovators will participate in coaching and pitching simulations to prepare for Investor Demo Day. This one-day event aims to connect them with experienced mentors and coaches, fostering growth, providing valuable insights, and accelerating the scaling of innovative solutions throughout the East African Community (EAC).

To further expand the young innovators’ network and market linkages, cross-border tours in different EAC countries are planned. These tours will connect innovators to the broader innovation ecosystem, unlocking the full potential of digital innovations to drive economic growth and resilience.
The creation of this platform for peer-to-peer networking and community building serves as a hub for young innovators across the EAC. It provides a space for sharing best practices, overcoming challenges, and learning from one another’s experiences. Innovators from diverse sectors and backgrounds come together not just to learn but to inspire and uplift each other, forging stronger networks and fostering a sense of belonging.
According to the World Bank, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of national income (GDP) in emerging economies, including East Africa. Through capacity-building programs, young innovators are expected to gain employment opportunities, strengthen the innovation ecosystem by 20%, and promote economic growth by increasing productivity and fostering competitiveness.
We extend our collective appreciation to our partners, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), for their efforts in reducing the digital divide across the seven East African countries.