GITEX: 15 youth to represent Uganda at African Tech Exhibition in Morocco

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Fifteen young Ugandan innovators representing 15 startups, have been nominated to showcase their creations at the next GITEX AFRICA 2024.

GITEX (Global Information Technology Exhibition) AFRICA is the African version of GITEX Global held annually under the hospices of the Dubai World Trade Centre, as is the first one outside the UAE.

Due to be held in Marrakech, Morocco next week, the 3-day GITEX Africa show will give the Ugandan young innovators an opportunity to showcase their talent to tech enthusiasts, startups, investors, and industry leaders from across the globe.

The intention is to enable them pitch their ventures to potential investors, network with industry leaders, and gain exposure to the latest technological trends.

This is an initiative of the Youth Startup Academy of Uganda (YSAU), a collaboration between Hive Colab, a Ugandan digital entrepreneur development support hub, the ICT and National Guidance Ministry and the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME).

YSAU aims to provide incubation for 1000 young entrepreneurs, and the 15 are part of the second cohort of beneficiaries.

Barbara Birungi Mutabazi, a co-founder Hive Colab said that they so not only train but also facilitate the entrepreneurs, with the of making them ready for investment so that they can attract capital and grow or expand.

These young innovators will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures to potential investors, network with industry leaders, and gain exposure to the latest technological trends.

The event is a critical stepping stone for these startups to secure funding and strategic partnerships that can thrust their businesses to new heights.

The event is the second of its kind and the first edition last year attracted more than 400 participants from 80 countries, 10 from Uganda, and organisers expected 130 countries this time around.

One of the pioneer Uganda participants, won an award for the best women in technology, a sign to that the country can fit on the global entrepreneur stage, according to Robert Bob Okello, the Associate National Coordinator, YSAU.

The tech and start-ups summit intends to accelerate relationships and advance the continent’s future objectives of boosting entrepreneurial innovation economy.

Award-winning M-scan Uganda Ltd was recognised for its ultrasonic technology solution,  mScan, that supports ultrasound scanning in low-resource areas.

Phyllis Kyomuhendo, the company’s founder and CEO says GITEX is a big opportunity for young entrepreneurs to be not only showcase their prowess but also interact at the highest global stage.

The annual event is organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre through its foreign arm, KAOUN International, which also hosts GITEX GLOBAL in the United Arab Emirates.

This year’s focus is on the AI phenomenon and its ability to disrupt a wide range of industries, including cybersecurity, cloud and IoT, banking, telecoms, agriculture, and education.

Jane Babirye, CEO Go Colors Paint Uganda Ltd, is one of the selected participants from Uganda this year.

She’s upbeat that GITEX will add a lot on how they do business especially in the area of “smart manufacturing”, and help her scale her enterprise.

Alan Mugalu, the CEO Ntakye Holding, an agriculture company and also supplier of solar power agricultural equipment, is also one of the participants at the oncoming event in Morocco.

He says he hopes to learn from other entrepreneurs in related areas from other countries, how he can improve his business and take it beyond the borders of Uganda.

The event is regarded as one way of helping Africa benefit from the global artificial intelligence revolution that is expected to add add 1.2 trillion dollars to Africa’s economy by 2030.

The 15 YSAU startups to be showcased at GITEX Africa 2024 are:
Arthur Abaliwano of Anchor Systems
Agatha Nambuya of AUTOFORE
James Don Katumba of Beet Fresh Yoghurt
Ssembajjwe David of Camelot Agroecology Farm
Itaagi Devin of Canine Safaris
Jane Babirye of GOCOLORS Paint Uganda
Josyline Kayiziaki of Goldie Coatings
Muhumuza Grace of iKnowFarm
Akatuha Grace of Kikazi Agri Products
Kimera Allan of Lara Fragrance House
Alan Mugalu of Ntakye Holdings
Isaac Odongo of Organic Route
Isaac Tenywa of Rwetech Farmers’ Co-operative Society
Frank Akankwasa of Suzie Water Harvesting
Jimmy Ouni of Truism

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