UNDP, MTN Uganda look to Makerere Innovation Expo 2023 to promote youth entrepreneurship

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with MTN Uganda have launched the Youth and Innovation Expo 2023 that will be hosted at Makerere University on August 25 and 26.

The expo seeks to showcase outstanding youth innovations and youth enterprises and find ways of commercializing all the innovations.   

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Elsie Attafuah, the Resident Representative of the UNDP Uganda, stated that they entered into a partnership with Makerere because they believe universities are the breeding ground for the kind of innovation, forward-thinking policies, and solutions needed to tackle 21st-century challenges and reinvigorate the SDGs. 

“Fostering innovation – especially by youth – is key to accelerating solutions needed to tackle development challenges and shape a future that is sustainable, equitable and inclusive,” she said.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to our co-hosts – Makerere  and MTN Uganda Ltd – for partnering with us in this effort. I am hopeful that our collective ingenuity will foster innovation and youth empowerment,” she added.

Lorna Magara, the chairperson of Makerere University Council, noted that with the rapid growth of Africa’s population, it will be necessary for institutions to start up innovations that can solve the challenge of unemployment.   

She said that the platform launched will cause meaningful engagement between the youth and various actors to tap into their expertise and experience as they aim to facilitate the creation of jobs and foster entrepreneurship.  

“We thank both UNDP and MTN Uganda for lending their wealth of expertise to our cause to showcase our great strides in innovation and entrepreneurship over our first 100 years,” Magara said.

Magara added that it is imperative to take immediate action to mitigate the effects of the predicted rapid urbanization that will most likely overwhelm the capacity to provide the infrastructure and education systems necessary to harness Africa’s economic growth potential fully.

In his remarks, the Chief Marketing Officer at MTN, Somdev Sen, urged academic institutions in Uganda to prioritize the development of innovative platforms and strategies to retain their graduates to reduce the exodus of skilled labour-seeking employment opportunities abroad.

“I am here to reiterate our continued support for the Makerere Innovation Exhibition. We are proud to be a sponsor of this event, which showcases some of the most innovative ideas and products coming out of Uganda,” he said.

“This exhibition is a perfect example of the kind of innovation that we want to support. It provides a platform for young entrepreneurs and innovators to showcase their ideas and connect with potential investors and partners,” he added.

The expo will be held under the theme “Fostering Innovations for Uganda’s Transformational Development”.