MTN Foundation, the MTN Uganda’s corporate social responsibility body, has unveiled the second phase of the MTN ACE program, a youth empowerment initiative aimed at equipping 8,000 youths with digital skills and creating 150 startups over the next three years.
The program, worth Shs4.5 billion, is collaboration between MTN Uganda, the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, the National ICT Innovation Hub, Centenary Technology Services, MUBS Entrepreneurship Innovation and Incubation Centre, and Engage Consult.
Speaking at the launch event, MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge emphasized the company’s commitment to empowering youth to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the digital age.
“At MTN Uganda, we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected world, and access to digital skills is a critical avenue to achieving that aspiration. As the second phase of the MTN ACE program takes shape, MTN Uganda is more committed than ever to empowering the country’s youth to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the digital age,” she said.
Mulinge further noted that the program seamlessly aligns with MTN’s Ambition 2025 of leading digital solutions for Uganda’s progress and supporting the government’s development goals in the National Development Plan III and Vision 2040, especially in addressing the high youth unemployment rate—a challenge projected to grow as the population expands.
The first phase of the MTN ACE program, which has been running since December 2022, saw 185 youths graduate across three distinct programs: 51 from MTN ACE Tech, 47 from the MTN ACE Career program, and 87 from the MTN ACE Skills program. Additionally, 20 enterprises were selected for ACE Tech acceleration, and 15 enterprises for incubation, demonstrating the program’s significant impact on nurturing youth skills and enterprises. MTN invested Shs1.5 billion in the first phase of the program.
Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, also spoke at the launch, “As we embark on Phase Two, we are more committed than ever to empowering our youth to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the digital age. We deeply appreciate the efforts of our partners whose marvelous effort in developing a digitally experienced and empowered generation is invaluable. Together, we are encouraging innovation and productivity across people, organizations, businesses, and government.”
The MTN ACE program focuses on three key areas: MTN ACE Tech, which upskills youth interested in tech-related innovations; MTN ACE Career, which empowers fresh graduates with workplace skills and internship placements; and MTN ACE Skills, which equips youths in or out of school with entrepreneurial skills to start businesses.
Beyond the MTN ACE program, MTN Foundation is involved in several other youth empowerment initiatives, including the MTN Skills Academy and MTN Internet Bus, which provide young people with essential digital skills, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities in Uganda and beyond.
MTN Uganda remains dedicated to fostering digital literacy and innovation as a means to drive economic growth and development. The second phase of the MTN ACE program is a testament to MTN’s commitment to empowering the youth and transforming Uganda’s digital and subsequently, economic landscape.
