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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | MTN Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of MTN Uganda, has today partnered with Uganda Christian University (UCU) to empower Uganda’s youth with essential digital skills.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at MTN Uganda, highlighting a shared vision of equipping the next generation with the digital competencies required to thrive in the rapidly evolving job market.
Central to this partnership is the integration of the MTN Skills Academy into UCU’s curriculum, bridging the digital skills gap and fostering economic growth through education and technology.
Launched at the Mobile World Congress Africa in Kigali in October 2022, the MTN Skills Academy is a flagship program under MTN’s Digital Skills for Digital Jobs initiative. It aims to provide young Ugandans with practical digital skills, in alignment with the African Union’s ‘Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa’ and MTN’s Ambition 2025, which aspires to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
Since its inception in Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, National ICT Innovation Hub, American Tower Cooperation (ATC), and Huawei in September 2023, the MTN Skills Academy has enrolled over 1,420 young individuals eager to enhance their digital proficiency and seize new employment opportunities.
This program addresses the critical challenge of unemployment and limited opportunities due to low digital literacy among Uganda’s youth, over 75% of whom are under the age of 30, according to the World Bank.
“At MTN Uganda, we believe that everyone should enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life, irrespective of their background or status and this includes access to opportunities,” said Stephen Mutana, Chief Strategy and Stakeholder Officer at MTN Mobile Money Uganda Ltd.
“Our partnership with Uganda Christian University therefore marks a pivotal chapter in our mission to ensure that every young Ugandan has access to the digital skills needed to succeed in today’s economy.
The integration of the Skills Academy into UCU’s coursework, specifically within the Foundational Basic Computing unit, will provide students with a robust foundation in practical digital skills, enhancing their academic and professional prospects.”
David Mugawe, Vice-Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “UCU is dedicated to educational excellence and preparing our students for the future. Collaborating with MTN Uganda on this initiative will significantly enrich our curriculum and provide our students with invaluable digital skills training.”
The signing of this MoU exemplifies the fruitful collaboration between the private sector and educational institutions in fostering meaningful change and driving Uganda’s digital agenda forward. It is a testament to our collective responsibility to equip our youth with the skills necessary to lead Uganda into a digitally empowered future.
“Together, we are unstoppable in addressing today’s challenges and paving the way for a brighter, opportunity-filled future for Uganda’s youth,” Mbasa added.
Beyond the MTN Skills Academy, MTN Foundation implements other initiatives such as the MTN ACE program, the MTN Internet Bus, and the provision of computers to educational institutions to enhance the population’s digital skills. These efforts reflect our unwavering commitment to enhancing digital literacy and access across Uganda.
