Experts call for expansion of digital economy to create opportunities for the youth

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Experts have asked government and other stakeholders, including development partners and the private sector to expand the digital economy through improved connectivity to create millions of opportunities for the youth.

In the 2020-2025 third National Development Plan (NDPIII), the government set a target of creating 500,000 new jobs through improved internet connectivity, lowering the cost of internet, and reducing the unit cost of low-entry smartphones from sh100,000 to sh60,000.

For computers, the plan is to have the cost of a computer from sh1.6m to sh800,000.

Modern-day youth need support systems, especially in the form of technologies, that will enable them to exploit their creativity to improve their livelihoods and the country’s economy, experts have said.

The experts observed during a recent discourse organized by Airtel Uganda that currently, several young people are using their smartphones to create businesses in different sectors, which calls for efforts toward an enabling environment.

Airtel Uganda managing director, Manoj Murali, said there is a need for commitment from different stakeholders to advance connectivity among Africa’s young people to enable them, “turn every situation into an opportunity.”

He noted that improved access to technology empowers Uganda’s entrepreneurial youth to connect more and improve financial inclusion, hence contributing to the transformation of the country.

“Right through covid-19, we found a lot of people who made a difference in society and made a life for themselves using a smartphone. Today, Uganda’s population is youthful and entrepreneurial offering solutions to counter problems,” Murali said.

Airtel Uganda managing director, Manoj Murali, said there is a need for commitment from different stakeholders to advance connectivity among Africa’s young people to enable them, “turn every situation into an opportunity.”

He made the remarks recently while launching the telecom’s new campaign ‘Reason to Imagine’ at Kampala Serena Hotel. The new campaign aims at enhancing digital and financial inclusion.

The new campaign, Murali said, seeks to not only enable young people’s dreams and ambitions, but also celebrate their energy, creativity, and innovation.

Murali said youth’s imagination is profoundly displayed in the work that they are doing, growing the creative industry, arts, sports, and agriculture.

Adoptive to technology

United Nations statistics show that Uganda is among the fastest growing populations. According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), 78% of the country’s population is below the age of 30. The average age is 17 years.

A 2021 Uganda Communications Commission market report says the smartphone penetration in Uganda stood at 30%. Experts say although smartphones have numerous benefits attached to them, the durable ones come at a high cost which has limited their penetration.

The director of marketing at Airtel Uganda, Henry Njoroge Kamau observed that the youth population is “very adoptive” to technology, and taping into their imaginative energy calls for access to affordable digital inclusion.

“These young people have lived through the rising mobile and internet penetration. They embrace technology and live in a connected world increasingly taking an active role in shaping their future. They, therefore, need support to actualize it,” Njoroge said.

The 2020 State of the Youth Report also recommends more investments in the ICT sector, which is very attractive to young people and has the potential to attract increased investments from the private sector, thus further creating more jobs.