Huawei Launches Innovative SME Digitalization Program in Uganda

Huawei Technologies Uganda Co. Ltd on Thursday held its Huawei Cloud Enterprise Innovation and SME Summit at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel with over 100 industry startups, fintechs, venture capitals, government organizations, and key strategic partners in attendance to learn, discuss, and share ideas on the startups & innovation ecosystem and digital transformation while using cloud solutions/services.

The summit was graced by the Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda; Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakaddama —who during her keynote speech reassured attendees that the government through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is committed to the agenda of digitalization.

Nakaddama applauded Huawei for its commitment to digitalization and its ongoing support to SMEs —where they’ve encouraged them to adopt digital solutions including their Huawei cloud services to better their product/solutions. This is evident in the testimonials from KaCyber Technologies, ioTec, and Vouch Digital who shared their success stories about using Huawei’s cloud services and Huawei’s contribution to their solutions thus far.

“This initiative emphasizes the role of digital transformation in the creation of jobs, stimulating innovation, and boosting economic growth, particularly for SMEs and these digital technologies are essential for SMEs to stay competitive and overcome traditional business barriers allowing them to improve processes and reach new markets,” Nakaddama said in her speech during the Huawei Cloud Enterprise Innovation and SME Summit at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

To continue their support for SMEs, at the end of the summit, Nakaddama officially launched the Huawei Cloud Startup Program aimed at propelling SMEs into the digital era. Nakaddama urged the press and the members present at the summit not only to spread the word but do massive sensitization and allow people in rural areas to get a better understanding of Huawei’s cloud services.

Ms. Sooma Mukyala Fouziya, the Public Relations Manager at Huawei Technologies Uganda Co. Ltd. at the sideline of the summit told the press that the initiative aims to support 500 SMEs with ICT solutions like cloud services to grow their businesses so that in the long run, the country boasts of an intelligent economy where all businesses are digitalized.

Orikiiriza Innocent; KaCyber Technologies CEO, and Kenneth Kwesiga; ioTEC Co-founder and CEO encouraged more SMEs across the country to enlist for the program. With the advent of the Huawei Cloud Startup Program, SMEs are poised to leverage cutting-edge cloud services, technical support, and training, thereby enhancing their operational capabilities and competitiveness in the market.

Sunrise Xie, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Uganda Co. Ltd also noted that the Huawei Cloud Startup Program for Uganda is a new milestone and emphasized the commitment to continue empowering SMEs to innovate and grow.

“The startup ecosystem in Uganda is expanding significantly with a constant increase in new startups across the country,” said Sunrise in his concluding remarks. “The Ugandan startups are regarded as the hope for national development. They are key drivers of innovation and economic growth.”

Hon. Gume Frederick, Minister of State for Trade in charge of Cooperatives also appreciated Huawei for its contributions towards empowering SMEs in Uganda to grow using technologies like cloud. In his remarks, Gume noted that SME owners need to opt for Huawei’s digital solutions to operate optimally.

Kin Kariisa, CEO of Next Media Group on the other hand implored SMEs to work with Huawei if they “to grow”. He also urged government institutions to embrace cloud computing. “Cloud Computing is very important to all of us but it’s more important to government institutions,” he said.

The Huawei Cloud Startup Program represents more than just a technological advancement; it is a paradigm shift in the way SMEs operate and thrive in today’s interconnected world. By providing affordable cloud computing services, Huawei will empower startups and SMEs to innovate and grow on a global scale.