6,000 to get business skills

By David Ssempijja

Over 6,000 unemployed youth are set to become entrepreneurs courtesy of a partnership spearheaded by Warid Telecom, Enterprise Uganda and Youth Business International (YBI).

The initiative aims at helping young entrepreneurs understand and grow businesses. It is funded by Warid Telecom to the tune of sh1b in the first phase, YBI will support beneficiaries’ mentorship programmes while Enterprise Uganda will offer their Business and Enterprise Start-up Tool (BEST).

According to the Enterprise Uganda executive director Charles Ocici, the programme will take on 1,000 youth who will be offered knowledge to start and sustain viable businesses.

“We are looking at training 1,000 youth, optimistic that the training will help them to start businesses. We expect that within two years, the beneficiaries will have employed at least two other people,” Ocici said.

Enterprise Uganda is currently identifying the youth who will then undergo a series of one-week business and entrepreneurship training to help them appreciate and prepare to cope with the challenges of joining the private sector.

Warid donates sh1 on every minute, sh5 on every new SIM card purchased and registered, sh5 on every voice call, SMS, data packages purchased and sh5 on every monthly caller ring back tone purchased.