Uganda Signs Deal with Japan To Promote ICT Jobs

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aminah Zawedde has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to strengthen the ICT ecosystem and accelerate the creation of jobs for Ugandan Youth.

The agreement will herald access to one of the world’s most digitized nations, Japan, and its advanced technology knowledge, market, and platforms, by creating an enabling environment to support ICT acceleration in Uganda.

“This MoU shall see Uganda excel in digital skilling program to strengthen our global competitiveness”, said Dr. Amina, during the signing of the MoU at the ICT Ministry in Kampala.

She added that business match-making between Ugandan companies and global ICT firms shall in turn create business opportunities for Ugandan companies.

“We are determined to create an environment that nourishes ICT-centric innovation and generates new job opportunities for our young people. The partnership with JICA is one we are excited about,” Dr. Amina added.

Uchiyama Takayuki, Chief Representative JICA, said that this partnership is the best way to promote Ugandan talent and also establish a platform to ease the discovery of young talent by foreign and local companies.

“Today marks the start of something great that will transcend generations to come. We thank Dr. Aminah for initiating and leading this partnership, we look forward to shared success”, he said.

The ICT industry in the country has also grown in the last 10 years putting the country at an advantage in handling ICT jobs around the globe. It is a very good time to recharge Uganda’s efforts in the ICT and Innovation industry.

At least 77 percent of Ugandans are under the age of 30 and its population is set to double between 2020 and 2060. There exists a challenge of youth unemployment is already high and will continue to rise as the population grows.

The MoU signing is therefore timely as it allows Uganda’s ICT and Innovation practitioners to leverage the global expertise that Japan has honed over the years, as a technology titan.

The National Development Plan III under the Digital Transformation Program recognizes ICT as a fulcrum of development. The national plan recognizes ICT as an accelerator, amplifier, and augmenter of change across the economy.