The government of Uganda has announced plans to slash internet costs by up to 50% by the end of January 2025 as part of its broader strategy to empower innovation and foster economic growth.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-year Phase One of the Accelerator Programme under the Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU), Moses Watasa, the Commissioner of e-Government, described the move as critical to supporting young entrepreneurs and innovators who heavily rely on mobile phones and internet connectivity.

Watasa highlighted that lowering internet costs is one of several interventions aimed at enabling startups.

“The government is also investing in skilling and funding young innovators to ensure their enterprises are market-ready and attractive to investors,” he said.

The Youth Startup Academy Uganda is a collaborative initiative supported by the Youth Startup Academy of South Korea, the Directorate of Global Growth Policy at South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Hive Colab, the National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U), and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

Expanding Internet Access

The government has set a six-year target to achieve nationwide internet coverage, according to Watasa. He noted that Uganda’s youthful population presents immense opportunities but also challenges, particularly in creating employment.

“Investing in internet expansion and digital skilling is key to unlocking the potential of our youth,” he added.

Global Exposure for Ugandan Startups

The programme has equipped young entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their innovations at international events, including GITEX Global in Dubai and a similar event in Morocco. These platforms have enabled several startups to secure partnerships with foreign companies.

Escipion Joaquin Oliveira Gomez, Director of the Division of Enterprise Competitiveness and Institutions at ITC, lauded the initiative’s impact, dismissing claims that Africa lacks innovation.

“Faced with many challenges, Africans have demonstrated exceptional creativity and resilience,” Gomez said.

South Korea’s Ambassador to Uganda, Park Sung-soo, urged the Ugandan government to continue supporting the initiative beyond Phase One.

He underscored the importance of skilling the youth to harness their potential, stating, “The future of any country depends on the quality of its youth.”

Hive Colab Director and co-founder Barbara Birungi Mutabazi echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for development agencies to collaborate with local innovators and hubs.

“Our goal is to create impactful innovations that drive the digital economy, benefit Ugandans, and extend beyond our borders. We aim to build unicorns from Uganda,” Mutabazi said.

Collin Babirukamu, Director of e-Government Services at NITA-U, revealed that the Academy has incubated over 1,000 entrepreneurs across Uganda, equipping them with skills to lead transformative ventures.

He noted that more than 263 jobs have been directly created by the startups, with broader impacts including attracting investments and fostering further employment opportunities.

“This year alone, 24 startups alongside 13 individual entrepreneurs received donations totalling $200,000, strengthening Uganda’s startup ecosystem,” Babirukamu stated.

As Uganda continues to prioritise innovation and digital growth, reducing internet costs is expected to play a pivotal role in empowering the country’s youth and building a vibrant digital economy.