By Mark Kawalya
The Innovation Village has partnered with Centenary Technology Services in a move that will develop the innovation ecosystem that is supported by Information Communication Technology (ICT). This will facilitate technology use and the development of software applications in Uganda.
The partnership is aligned towards boosting the adoption of technology and supporting the growth of an open innovation ecosystem and a digital marketplace. This will create an environment for entrepreneurs, innovators, and corporate organizations to thrive, innovate digital products, and access new markets that are both local and international.
Japheth Kawanguzi the Innovation Village team lead, speaking at the signing of the MOU, said the partnership will create pathways for creating sustainable and scalable initiatives for innovators who will revolutionize the country’s ICT sector by using tech-related innovations. This will be an important building block in achieving socio-economic development.
“Today, we continue to see the various ways in which technology has changed the way we transact business, work, and access information, products, and services.” So, how do we take advantage of this opportunity to accelerate job creation, build market linkages and distribution networks for digital entrepreneurs to thrive?” asked Kawanguzi.
Kawanguzi added, “Together with Centenary Technology Services, we will build linkages that attract financing and investment to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and provide a distribution infrastructural network to empower digital entrepreneurs to scale their business beyond our local borders.”
Centenary Technology Services, popularly known as Cente-Tech, is the technological arm of the Centenary Group that has more than 75 years of combined ICT experience in both the private and public domain. Cente-Tech provides a range of technology solutions and drives innovation as a catalyst for growth. The firm’s experience is in ICT advisory and research, ICT innovation and digital services, as well as ICT managed services and infrastructure.
Cente-Tech’s CEO, Dr Grace Ssekakubo said, “Our partnership with The Innovation Village aims to generate highly skilled innovators, who in return will create technology applications to support service delivery, create employment opportunities and improve the use of data for ICT innovation and application development in the country.”
Ssekakubo added, “We will help innovators commercialize their innovations. This will have an accelerated employment effect as these companies will make revenue, grow, and employ more young people.”
The MOU will see the two entities fostering the growth of local tech content, design and the implementation of a mentorship program for building technical expertise.
