MTN Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of MTN Uganda, has partnered with Uganda Christian University (UCU) to empower Uganda’s youth with essential digital skills. This follows UCU’s 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.
The Chief Strategy and Stakeholder Officer Stephen Mutana said “MTN Uganda believes that everyone should enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life, irrespective of their background or status and this includes access to opportunities.” He added, “Our partnership with the Uganda Christian University marks a pivotal chapter in MTN’s mission to ensure that every young Ugandan has access to the digital skills needed to succeed in today’s economy.”
Central to this partnership is the integration of the MTN Skills Academy into the university’s curriculum, bridging the digital skills gap and fostering economic growth through education and technology. The integration of the 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.
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, the MTN Skills Academy has enrolled over 1,420 young individuals eager to enhance their digital proficiency and seize new employment opportunities.
According to the World Bank, 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.
UCU’s Vice Chancellor, Mr. David Mugawe, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that the university is dedicated to educational excellence and preparing its 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,” he said.
“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,” he added. “It is a testament to our collective responsibility to equip our youth with the skills necessary to lead Uganda into a digitally empowered future.”
Beyond the MTN Skills Academy, the 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 the foundation’s unwavering commitment to enhancing digital literacy and access across Uganda.
