MTN Uganda’s corporate social responsibility arm, the MTN Foundation, has announced the launch of the MTN Skills Academy. This innovative online platform is designed to empower Uganda’s youth and bridge the digital divide.
In partnership with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance,
the National ICT Innovation Hub, American Tower Cooperation (ATC), and Huawei, the MTN
Skills Academy which is aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan III, Digital Vision
2040 and the National Digital Transformation Roadmap aims to provide access to digital and
financial skills training for youth in Uganda and across the African continent as a catalyst for
job creation and increased employment opportunities.
Speaking at the launch event held at the ATC Digital Community in Mukono District, MTN
Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, emphasized the programme’s importance in
addressing the critical gap between digital skills training and job placement.
“As MTN, we are committed to driving digital solutions for Africa’s progress. With the launch
of the MTN Skills Academy in Uganda, we aim to equip the country’s youth, who are at the
forefront of digitalization, with the necessary skills to advance the digitalization agenda and
drive the nation’s progress,” She said.
She also noted that the MTN Skills Academy would play a pivotal role in addressing the
challenges faced by Uganda’s youth, who make up the majority of the population and yet
remain one of the most vulnerable groups in the country.
The latest statistics from the World Bank shows that over 75% of Uganda’s population is
below the age of 30. The nation also grapples with one of the highest youth unemployment
rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, currently standing at 13.3%.
Furthermore, the International Finance Corporation estimates that by 2030 approximately
230 million jobs will require digital skills.
Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the Minister of State for Information, Communications
and Technology, commended MTN for its ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in
driving Uganda’s sustainable development through ICT.
“We acknowledge that progress can only be achieved collaboratively. I extend my gratitude
to MTN for continually seeking and implementing innovations that propel our digitalization
agenda forward. This project will enable our youth to tap into the vast resources that MTN
offers for our nation’s development,” said Minister Ssebugwawo.
The launch event also saw the participation of renowned digitalization partners, including
Huawei and ATC, who welcomed the innovation and pledged their support for the
programme.
MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Nompilo Morafo, emphasized
that the MTN Skills Academy would not only address the digital skills shortage but also
contribute to sustainable economic growth in Uganda.
“In a world where digital literacy is as crucial as reading and writing, the MTN Skills Academy
serves as a testament to our commitment to Uganda’s sustainable development. We believe
that this platform will be pivotal in providing Ugandan youth with the essential skills required
to flourish in the digital economy. Not only will this help alleviate the shortage of digital skills,
but it will also reverberate positively across the nation’s economic growth trajectory, aligning
to the newly launched Digital Transformation Roadmap. This initiative is a key component of
MTN’s ongoing efforts to foster both economic growth and social progress in Uganda and
across the African continent”, Morafo stated.
MTN’s commitment to empowering youth extends beyond Uganda, as the company plans to
roll out the MTN Skills Academy across all its operating companies in Africa, targeting the
empowerment of at least one million youths by 2025.
It is worth noting that MTN Uganda has complementary initiatives under the MTN ACE
programme, aimed at empowering youth to leverage ICTs for Uganda’s socioeconomic
transformation.
The first cohort of 185 youths will graduate today, armed with practical skills in digital
technologies to provide innovative ICT solutions for their communities.
MTN remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting Uganda’s youth and delivering digital
solutions for Africa’s progress, believing that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern
connected life.
