Uganda startups tipped on business sustainability

__________________

Ugandans involved in the innovation space have been urged to be patient with their ideas if they are to thrive on a global stage.  

Christian Idiodi, a partner at Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG), made the call while speaking during the 3rd Annual Inspire Africa Product Tour workshop at the National Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala City on March 5, 2025.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and attended by over 100 participants drawn from innovators, entrepreneurs and different groups in the private and public sectors.

Idiodi said although Africa has capable talent, what has tended to come from the continent’s innovators falls short in part because of "the obsession with solving the symptoms around the problems rather than solving the problems”. 

Chidi Afulez, the director of the product leadership accelerator Inspire Africa, speaking to journalists. This was during the 3rd Annual Inspire Africa Product Tour workshop on Wednesday. (Photo by John Masaba)

“Africa is not lacking in talented people. What we believe is that if we combine that tenacity and that African spirit and train young people on how to use technology, we can build our own Facebook or WhatsApp and stop being dependent on other people creating technology for us,” he said.

He called for the creation of an enabling environment that allows the "greatness of our youths and innovators to shine", including infrastructure such as internet and training hubs that nurture talent.

He revealed that doing so can yield models of good work and a “Silicon Valley” of Africa where people who want to start a company can go and get guidance, mentorship and coaching.

He said they are trying to help accelerate an enabling environment that will make successful startups, enterprises and innovations in Africa.

But Chidi Afulez, the director of the product leadership accelerator Inspire Africa, said there is a need for more investments in infrastructure and financial capabilities. This can relieve the innovators and entrepreneurs of the burden of addressing the challenges and enable them to focus on product solutions. 

“That is at the core; we have the talent, and the capabilities in terms of the kinds of skillsets needed to solve these problems,” he said.

He called for collaborations between the private and the public sectors, which will help synergize the effort against common challenges that affect them.

ICT ministry undersecretary Sophia Nantongo said the training was a build-up event to the Inspire Africa conference in Kigali, Rwanda, in October.     

She said the event will offer a chance for Ugandan innovators to mingle with global leaders and learn from them. 

“This will help improve the ecosystem in Uganda,” she said, adding it will also provide valuable lessons as Uganda works to roll out her digital road map.