Huawei Technologies (U) Limited in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance successfully held the National ICT Job Fair 2024 at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa. Prime Minister Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja officiated the two-day event which attracted thousands of participants, including fresh graduates, ICT professionals, industry leaders, and key government and private policymakers, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation, skill development, and employment opportunities in Uganda’s ICT sector.
Themed “Shaping Uganda’s Digital Future: Bridging Skills, Innovation and Opportunity” the job fair provided a dynamic platform for participants to connect with potential employers, gain insights from keynote speakers, and explore the latest trends in technology. Tens of job opportunities and internships were showcased by leading companies in the ICT industry, including Huawei Technologies (U) Limited.
Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja upon arrival, inspected the different exhibition booths from the different companies that were showcasing what they do and what opportunities they are offering to the youth in the ICT sector of Uganda. In her opening remarks, she highlighted the government’s commitment and prioritization of ICT in its development plans for the socio-economic transformation of the country.
“Through strategic investments in infrastructure, skills development, and innovation, we are creating an enabling environment for ICT to thrive,” said Rt. Hon. Nabbanja. “ICT remains one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, offering limitless opportunities and unlocking opportunities for economic growth, empowering our youth, and positioning Uganda in the global digital economy.”
Rt. Hon. Nabbanja applauded the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Huawei Technologies (U) Limited for organizing initiatives that aim to bridge the digital divide and skill mismatch gap to unlock the potential of our youth and build a robust ICT ecosystem.
Senior officials from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and other government MDAs were present at the job fair. Hon. Dr. Chris Bayromunsi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance in his keynote address pointed out that the ministry is charged with the mandate of driving digital transformation in the country and ensuring technology benefits all Ugandans. “We must invest in young people and make them an asset for the country, not a burden,” he said.
Adding to his remarks the Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT, Dr. Aminah Zawedde said the ministry’s goal is to create at least 30,000 direct jobs related to the ICT sector. In addition, she said, “We are emphasizing innovation and interpretation to get solutions that address the challenges facing the country.”
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong said that ICT is a key driver to a country’s development. The industrial chain cooperation, one of the 10 partnership actions announced by China during the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in September this year, includes plans for China and Africa to build a digital technology cooperation center and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects, he said. “With its continued growth, I believe the ICT sector can create more job opportunities for talented young men and women, greatly addressing their concerns and fostering digital inclusiveness,” Zhang said.
Deputy Managing Director of Huawei Technologies (U) Limited, Ssali Gao emphasized Huawei’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and the industry. “At Huawei, we believe technology is a bridge to opportunity. They say that thanks to technology, the world has become one small global village and I could not agree more,” he said —adding “Soon, technology and ICT will be the backbone of every industry in the world. This means that skilled personnel in these sectors will be highly needed.”
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is why we are attending the National ICT Job Fair 2024,” Gao ends his remarks.
Attendees directly met and engaged with leading Ugandan institutions in the ICT industry offering jobs, internships, and training exploring potential roles in software development, data science, network engineering, and cyber security, to mention but a few. The skills development and training workshops provided hands-on sessions led by experts from Huawei and other industry leaders which offered training in sought-after skills, including coding, digital marketing, resume writing, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
Furthermore, esteemed speakers and panelists from government, academia, and the private sector discussed trends, challenges, and future prospects in Uganda’s ICT landscape availing connections with ICT professionals, innovators, and peers to explore partnerships and collaborations.
