KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda has taken a significant step towards harnessing the potential of deep technology to drive economic growth and innovation.
The summit, held in Kampala, brought together local and international experts to chart Uganda’s deep tech strategy and attract investment. Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, unveiled Uganda’s ambitious Tenfold strategy.
“Uganda has a growing technology ecosystem, characterized by innovators developing cutting-edge solutions in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and nanotechnology,” Dr. Musenero said. “These deep tech innovations have the potential to revolutionize industries and spur socio-economic transformation.”
Richard Rabbat, CEO of Lighty AI, emphasized the importance of strategic timing and aligning talent with startup goals. “Building an innovative human capital team requires understanding the market and acquiring the right talent at the right time,” Rabbat noted.
Alaya Bettaieb, a policy expert from Tunisia, highlighted his country’s proactive approach to supporting startups. “Tunisia’s deep tech journey has been accelerated by knowledge exchange platforms and government-backed funding,” Bettaieb said.
Brandon Paschal from Stellenbosch University in South Africa shared South Africa’s framework for promoting research and development. “Attracting private investment through initiatives like Angel Networks is vital for scaling high-growth companies and fostering deep tech advancements,” Paschal emphasized.
Alberto Garcia Picazo, Founder of Hello Tomorrow in France, stressed the importance of corporate R&D strategies. “Corporate R&D strategies are key to remaining competitive in the global market,” Picazo said.
Alex Ntale from the ICT Chamber in Rwanda showcased his country’s progress in deep tech, including the Rwanda Space Agency’s lunar mission ground station.
Arthur Mukembo, Lead of FutureLab, noted that Uganda’s growing tech ecosystem is already showing promise. “By embedding deep tech innovation into our Industry 4.0+ initiative, Uganda can position itself to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Mukembo said.
The summit marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey to harness deep technology.
The event was organized by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretariat, in collaboration with Open Start-up Tunisia and FutureLab.
