Kampala, Uganda – The future of digital innovation took centre stage this week as Uganda proudly hosted the first-ever Middle East & Africa Digital Transformation Summit at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The landmark event, which ran from June 25–27, was organised by HiPipo in partnership with the COMESA Business Council and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. It aimed to spark tangible investments and foster strategic partnerships in digital innovation across both regions.
The summit was officially opened by the Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, alongside Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, and Hon. Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Minister of State for ICT. Their presence underscored Uganda’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology as a key driver of social and economic transformation.
A Confluence of Leaders and Innovation
Bringing together leaders, innovators, policymakers, and investors from across Africa and the Middle East, the three-day gathering was designed to forge new partnerships, share cutting-edge innovations, and chart a course for inclusive digital growth. Discussions and collaborations focused on critical areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital finance, and skills development.
Innocent Kawoya, CEO of HiPipo, marked his organisation’s 20th anniversary by emphasizing the immense potential of the combined regions. “We should all recognize that this is a defining moment for Africa and also for the Middle East,” Kawoya declared, highlighting a youth demographic of over 1.4 billion and a combined GDP of US$8.4 trillion. He urged stakeholders to “maximize the digital dividend,” shifting from conversations to investment, from pilot to scale, and from ideas to impact.”
Kawoya provided concrete examples of Africa’s burgeoning digital ecosystem, including MTN’s US200-million investment in digital infrastructure,Flatter’s US475-million financing over five years, and mobile money platforms that collectively process over US95-billion annually.He also noted that Uganda’s national payment systems now process more than US50-billion annually, reflecting robust trust in homegrown digital solutions.
He further lauded the impact of local innovations such as ClinicPesa, MyDoctor’s AI, and KawooPes, citing them as proof that “when innovation meets purpose, technology becomes truly inclusive.”
Uganda’s Vision for a Digital Future
Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo, State Minister for ICT, extended Uganda’s hospitality and highlighted the summit’s pivotal role in fostering secure, innovative digital futures. “Your attendance is a powerful statement to our shared commitment to building an inclusive, secure, and innovative digital future for our people,” she stated. She outlined Uganda’s ICT priorities, which include broadband expansion, e-government services, digital skills development, and nurturing local innovation ecosystems, urging participants to “place people at the center of our digital transformation efforts.”
Minister Dr. Hon. Chris Baryomunsi commended the partnership with COMESA and HiPipo, attributing success to President Museveni’s vision of ICT as a pillar for job and wealth creation. He noted that “our ICT industry already employs over 1.3 million Ugandans” and called for concerted efforts to bridge the digital divide, both globally and within the South. He emphasized consolidating existing partnerships and breaking ground for new ones in areas such as e-commerce, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Prime Minister Nabbanja, delivering a speech on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, expressed gratitude for Uganda being chosen as the host country. She praised the organizers for their ” tireless efforts” and underscored that digital transformation is central to Uganda’s National Development Plan and Vision 2040, asserting that “every aspect of social, economic, and political endeavor is happening within the digital sphere.” She urged delegates to move beyond presentations and “go deep” into discussions on AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, e-government, and local manufacturing of ICT equipment.
The Prime Minister also implored international guests to become ambassadors for Uganda as a prime investment destination in ICT, tourism, and other sectors, officially declaring the summit open.
Moving from Dialogue to Tangible Outcomes
As delegates concluded the summit on June 27, expectations were high for the emergence of concrete partnerships in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI, digital skills training, and regional policy harmonization. With the Ugandan government and private sector aligned, and a growing constituency of youth innovators poised to scale new solutions, the Middle East & Africa Digital Transformation Summit is set to become an enduring catalyst for inclusive, technology-driven progress across both regions.
