The Inaugural National ICT Summit is finally underway at the Kampala Serena Hotel. Officially opened by Hon. Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluk; Minister of State for National Guidance, the summit has brought hundreds of delegates including policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and academia from the various ICT sectors in Uganda and beyond to foster collaboration, share insights, and develop strategies for overcoming barriers to digital transformation.
The summit which builds on the success of the 2023 Technology Information Confederation (TICON) Africa conference which highlighted Uganda’s potential in digital transformation and technological innovation —will press the need to solidify this position and address ongoing challenges in the ICT sector.
The two-day (ends tomorrow, Oct. 24th) summit which is being held under the theme “Economic Competitiveness through Strategic and Sustainable Digital Transformation” is serving as a neutral, collaborative platform for government officials, policymakers, innovators, and digital experts to explore how digital technologies can drive economic growth and the country’s economic development.
In his keynote, Hon. Kabbyanga said, “I commended ICTAU for its tireless efforts in advancing Uganda’s digital landscape and promoting impactful change in the ICT sector. Through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment that supports digital innovation, promotes digital inclusion, and ensures cybersecurity.”
He added, “I’m excited to see Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) here today. Your presence and input are vital to ensuring that the digital transformation agenda is inclusive and that policies around digital literacy, cybersecurity, and infrastructure development are implemented across all sectors.”
In her brief remarks, ICTAU’s Board Chairperson Ms. Elizabeth Ntege said Uganda’s ICT sector is on a path to generating more direct employment opportunities, enhancing livelihoods, and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP growth. “We are at a decisive stage in Uganda’s digital journey, where the role of ICT is no longer just an option but a critical driver of national competitiveness and social impact,” she said. “This summit is not only about discussing the future of technology but taking tangible steps to ensure Uganda leads in digital transformation across all sectors.”
Takeaways from the first days of the summit;
In a panel discussion on “Building and Interconnecting Africa’s Digital Backbone for Enhancing Economic Competitiveness through Scalable Infrastructure,” experts discussed the importance of building scalable digital infrastructure across Africa, spotlighting Uganda’s remarkable progress in data centers and fiber connectivity as critical building blocks.
Byaruhanga James, the Executive Director of Roke Telkom Uganda noted that on top of the data centers, fiber connectivity, and users, Uganda now needs cloud infrastructure. “As data stays within Uganda’s data centers, whether public or private, cloud solutions are critical to maximize this,” he said. “With announcements like the Azure Stack, we’re starting to see investment interest, but we could use even more global and public financing.”
On internet connectivity, Kyle Spencer, Executive Director of Uganda Internet Exchange Point (UIXP) revealed that the percentage of sub-Saharan Africa’s internet capacity linked to Europe since 2015 has dropped from 75% to around 60%, showing our success in originating traffic locally. He added, “Wholesale IP transit prices in Kampala are down to USD$2.50 (approx. UGX9,200) per megabit, a 30-33% drop in recent years. Our infrastructure and pricing are competitive with other regions in Africa.”
Patrick Okoth, Project Manager of Government Networks at NITA Uganda commended the Ministry of ICT and Nationa Guidance for facilitating policies and the new licensing framework, which has expanded infrastructure reach.
Local infrastructure is key,” said Badru Ntege, Director of NFT Consult.
The panelists while highlighting the need for cloud solutions to strengthen the country’s digital backbone, argued that these solutions are essential but underscored the need for more global and public financing to push for deeper, long-term investments that will facilitate growth and make technology more accessible.
The summit also revealed that Uganda’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has seen impressive growth, with the industry expanding at a rate of 14.8% annually. Employing over 2 million people, it stands as the country’s second-largest sector, trailing behind agriculture. Despite these successes, there is a widespread belief that the country has not yet fully tapped into its potential, particularly in scaling local content creation and expanding the infrastructure necessary to connect Uganda’s 48 million citizens.
“We need to create local content, ensure it circulates within our ecosystem, and connect all 48 million Ugandans before we focus on regional connectivity,” said Ntege.
The country’s progress in this area is encouraging, but there is still significant room for growth, especially in rural and underserved communities.
In his remarks, H.E. Upender Singh Rawat, High Commissioner of India to Uganda while drawing comparisons to India’s booming ICT sector which is expected to reach USD$500 billion in revenue by 2030, said “Indian firms like PSL Uganda and Tata Consultancy Services are key partners in Uganda’s digital transformation, introducing advanced technologies and best practices to strengthen the country’s ICT infrastructure and innovation.”
H.E. Upender emphasized the importance of developing local laws tailored to support digital competitiveness and innovation. By creating a legal framework that addresses the needs of the creative and tech industries, Uganda can foster a more robust digital economy.
There was a strong consensus that the digital economy is a major catalyst for socio-economic growth. However, more efforts are needed to ensure inclusivity. Uganda must focus on blending digital infrastructure with tools and skills, particularly in underserved communities, to bring opportunities closer to the people. The pathway to digital transformation lies in connecting these communities, equipping them with the necessary digital resources, and creating policies that drive private investment. Through these actions, Uganda can unlock its untapped potential and lead the region in digital innovation.
In a panel session, “Financing and Investment Strategies for Building Africa’s Scalable Digital Infrastructure,” the panelists discussed the importance of leveraging regional and international partnerships to bridge the continent’s digital divide. Africa’s growing population and increasing digital penetration demand robust infrastructure, but funding gaps remain a significant challenge. They underscored the need for innovative financing models that consider the unique challenges and opportunities in African markets, including the need for scalable solutions that adapt to varying regional demands.
Ajay Ramasubramaniam, CEO of StartupReseau and Co-founder of Hindsight Ventures, said “Innovative financing often focuses on customer-facing elements, but the core principles in finance remain unchanged.” He added, “When it comes to infrastructure, whether hard or digital, we need to consider all revenue opportunities, from toll roads to digital platforms that leverage data for long-term gains.”
Adding to Ajay’s remarks, Paul Mugwanya, Executive Head of corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda said innovation in finance remains stubbornly slow.
“The core principles of risk allocation have barely changed in over a century, but we’re seeing shifts in how risk is distributed,” notes Mugwanya. “Governments are now working to shift some risks like political and post-crisis risks to the private sector. This is essential for encouraging investment in large-scale infrastructure projects, where the private sector often hesitates to take on the full burden.”
Delegates experienced hands-on demonstrations of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, digital healthcare, fintech, etc.
