Uganda: Africa’s Innovation Powerhouse

The Ministry Of ICT & National Guidance has announced the innovators and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) practitioners representing Uganda during the Innovation Week at the Dubai Expo 2020. The Innovation week will run from the 22nd to – the 27th of March 2022.

Themed Discover Africa’s Innovation Powerhouse, the Government will celebrate Ugandan excellence and industry by profiling Ugandan talent and inviting the world to discover the opportunities abound in the Pearl of Africa.

The campaign will also highlight how innovations by Ugandans have created solutions to the various societal challenges.

The main objectives of the Expo are branding and marketing Uganda as a BPO & Innovation investment destination, engaging in a global conversation with other innovators from around the world, and job creation through great partnerships.

Addressing the media, the Permanent Secretary – Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, said, ‘we are committed to growing the innovators & BPO practitioners and providing growth opportunities. The Dubai Expo 2020 is the ‘World Cup’ of innovation & BPO; having our young people present is an opportunity we couldn’t let pass.’

‘We thank the various partners, Huawei Uganda, MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda, NBS TV, UBC, Vision Group, Cente Tech & TBWA Uganda, who joined us in making Uganda’s participation in the Innovation week a reality. Let us show the world that indeed, Uganda is Africa’s Innovation Powerhouse,’ she concluded.

While in Dubai at the Expo, the innovators will indulge in business-to-business meetings and business-to-government meetings and also showcase the value proposition of Uganda to the world to enhance investment, tourism, and trade.

Uganda’s participation in the Dubai Expo 2020 will be an opportunity to illustrate its national aspirations in promoting digitalisation, innovation and its ability to connect people. Additionally, the physical presence of the innovators/BPO practitioners at the Dubai Expo will be an opportunity for marketing Ugandan innovations and positioning them to benefit from export opportunities for the Ugandan enterprises in the global market.

The selection of the innovators that will represent Uganda will be chosen from a pool of those that expressed interest and responded to the national call that the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance issued on 28th January 2022 in print, digital and radio media.

The adjudication and award of a place on Team Uganda were done by the National BPO and Innovation Council, led by Prof. William Bazeyo.

Commenting during the launch, Hon Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, said, ‘The Government of Uganda is committed to fostering a trusted and vibrant business environment, where our businesses and workers are empowered to innovate. We are mindful that we might not be the largest from a geographical perspective nor the richest from a GDP perspective. Still, we do have Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Innovation that we can curve out as a niche amongst the many treasures in the nation.’

The Ministry of ICT & National Guidance is committed to building technology infrastructure and spurring a digital culture, essential enablers for inclusive and sustainable development of Uganda.

Expo 2020 Dubai's theme, "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future", is based on the belief that bringing the world together can catalyse the exchange of new perspectives and inspire action to deliver real-life solutions to real-world challenges.