MTN Uganda’s corporate social responsibility arm, the MTN Foundation, has announced the launch of the MTN Skills Academy. This innovative online platform is designed to empower Uganda’s youth and bridge the digital divide.
In partnership with key stakeholders, including the MTN Foundation, the National ICT Innovation Hub, American Tower Cooperation (ATC), and Huawei, the MTN Skills Academy which is aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan III, Digital Vision 2040 and the National Digital Transformation Roadmap aims to provide access to digital and financial skills training for youth in Uganda and across the African continent as a catalyst for job creation and increased employment opportunities.
Speaking at the launch event held at the ATC Digital Community in Mukono District, MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, emphasized the programme’s importance in addressing the critical gap between digital skills training and job placement.
“As MTN, we are committed to driving digital solutions for Africa’s progress. With the launch of the MTN Skills Academy in Uganda, we aim to equip the country’s youth, who are at the forefront of digitalization, with the necessary skills to advance the digitalization agenda and drive the nation’s progress,” She said.
She also noted that the MTN Skills Academy would play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges faced by Uganda’s youth, who make up the majority of the population and yet remain one of the most vulnerable groups in the country.
The latest statistics from the World Bank shows that over 75% of Uganda’s population is below the age of 30. The nation also grapples with one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, currently standing at 13.3%.
