ICT ministry, JICA present opportunities for youths

More youth are set to benefit from the recently signed record between the Ministry of ICT and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

This presents an opportunity for Ugandans and Japanese to engage in mutually beneficial activities as it will create a platform for linkages between Uganda ICT companies and Japanese ICT businesses.

This is according to Minister of ICT Chris Baryomunsi who was officiating at the Closing Session of the ICT Business Tour.

According to Baryomunsi, these linkages will further extend to academia for skills transfer and knowledge sharing where the Ugandan youth is key in this partnership.

He noted that the youths will also benefit from employment and capacity-building, in various skills like software development, telemedicine and education among others.

“The Ugandan population which is about 44 million is largely dominated by the youths who are under 30 years of age thus you can be sure that we have an abundance of educated young people who are more than eager to take on any innovative opportunities available to them,” he said.

The minister noted that Uganda’s ICT sector also reflects the increased use of ICT as there is a sizeable growth in e-business transactions in Uganda like mobile money, Jumia and Safe boda.

These have played a big role in the economic development of the country.

In his speech, Baryomunsi explained that ICT is one of the areas of investment that contributes directly and indirectly towards Uganda Vision 2040.

“The government believes Investment in ICTs is essential in the sustainable development of Uganda, our political stability, steady economic growth, geographical location, and legal & regulatory environment presents a favourable environment for both international and local investors,” the minister said.