Submitted
2024 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge

EmpowerUganda

Team Leader
Lukwago Nicholas
Solution Overview & Team Lead Details
Our Organization
LAH Home of Graphics
What is the name of your solution?
EmpowerUganda
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
EmpowerUganda tackles youth unemployment holistically with skills training, entrepreneurship support, digital literacy, and drone technology.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Hoima, Uganda
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
  • Uganda
What type of organization is your solution team?
  • For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?

The specific problem EmpowerUganda is addressing is the high rate of youth unemployment in Uganda, which is a significant challenge both locally and globally. In Uganda, youth unemployment rates are alarmingly high, with approximately 13.3% of young people aged 18-30 being unemployed as of 2021. This issue is exacerbated by factors such as limited access to quality education, mismatched skills with market demands, and a lack of entrepreneurial opportunities.

Globally, youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, particularly in developing countries like Uganda, where young people make up a significant portion of the population. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), approximately 13.7% of the global youth population were unemployed in 2020, with even higher rates in some regions.

EmpowerUganda's target communities are particularly affected by this problem, as many young people struggle to find meaningful employment opportunities or are forced to accept low-paying, insecure jobs that offer little prospect for advancement. Factors contributing to this problem include a lack of access to quality education and vocational training, limited job opportunities in rural areas, and a rapidly growing youth population outpacing economic growth.

EmpowerUganda's solution directly addresses these contributing factors by providing targeted skills training aligned with market demands, fostering entrepreneurship through mentorship and support, integrating digital literacy and technology-focused training, and utilizing innovative approaches such as drone technology for agriculture and environmental monitoring. By equipping young people with the skills, mindset, and tools necessary to succeed in today's competitive job market and as entrepreneurs, EmpowerUganda aims to alleviate poverty, reduce youth unemployment, and drive sustainable economic development in Uganda and beyond.

What is your solution?

EmpowerUganda is a comprehensive initiative that empowers young people in Uganda with the skills and support needed to succeed in the job market and as entrepreneurs. We offer targeted skills training in areas like technology, agriculture, and hospitality, using tools like graphic design software, video processing software, and photography production software. Additionally, we provide mentorship and support for aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into successful businesses. Our programs also include digital literacy and technology-focused training, preparing youth for the digital economy. Plus, we integrate the use of drones for agriculture and environmental monitoring, offering innovative solutions to local challenges. Through these initiatives, EmpowerUganda equips youth with the skills, mindset, and tools necessary to thrive in today's competitive job market and contribute to economic development in Uganda.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

EmpowerUganda serves the youth population of Uganda, specifically targeting individuals aged 18-30 who are facing challenges related to unemployment, limited access to quality education, and lack of entrepreneurial opportunities. This demographic represents a significant portion of the population in Uganda and is disproportionately affected by poverty and economic insecurity.

The target population includes young people from diverse backgrounds, including urban and rural areas, with varying levels of education and skills. Many of them face barriers to accessing traditional employment opportunities due to factors such as limited job availability, inadequate training, and a lack of networks and support systems.

EmpowerUganda directly addresses the needs of this underserved population by providing them with comprehensive skills training aligned with market demands. By offering targeted programs in high-growth industries such as technology, agriculture, and hospitality, we equip youth with the practical skills and knowledge needed to secure employment or start their own businesses.

Moreover, our mentorship and support initiatives provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the guidance, resources, and networking opportunities necessary to turn their ideas into viable enterprises. Additionally, our focus on digital literacy and technology-focused training ensures that youth are prepared for the increasingly digitalized economy, opening up new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.

By directly addressing the needs of the youth population in Uganda and providing them with the tools and support to succeed, EmpowerUganda aims to meaningfully improve their lives by offering pathways to economic empowerment, increased financial stability, and improved livelihoods. Through our initiatives, we seek to foster a new generation of skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who can contribute positively to their communities and drive sustainable economic development in Uganda.

How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

EmpowerUganda's team is well-positioned to deliver our solution due to our deep understanding of the challenges facing youth in Uganda and our commitment to empowering communities through collaborative and inclusive approaches.

  1. Expertise and Experience: Our team comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise in fields such as education, entrepreneurship, technology, and community development. With years of experience working with youth and marginalized communities in Uganda, we possess the knowledge and skills necessary to design and deliver effective programs tailored to the needs of our target population.

  2. Community Representation: The Team Lead and members of our team are representative of the communities we serve. We have strong connections to local communities, understand their cultural nuances, and are familiar with the socio-economic challenges they face. This enables us to build trust, engage meaningfully with community members, and design programs that resonate with their aspirations and priorities.

  3. Community Engagement: We prioritize community input and participation throughout the design and implementation of our solution. Our approach involves conducting needs assessments, consultations, and focus group discussions with community members to understand their perspectives, identify barriers and opportunities, and co-create solutions together. This ensures that our programs are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.

  4. Partnerships and Collaboration: We collaborate closely with local organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and businesses to leverage resources, expertise, and networks. By fostering partnerships with stakeholders at the grassroots level, we ensure that our programs are sustainable, scalable, and embedded within the broader community ecosystem.

Overall, EmpowerUganda's team is deeply committed to empowering youth and communities in Uganda through innovative, inclusive, and community-led approaches. Our collective expertise, community representation, and commitment to collaboration enable us to design and deliver solutions that have a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of our target population.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
  • Generate new economic opportunities and buffer against economic shocks for workers, including good job creation, workforce development, and inclusive and attainable asset ownership.
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
  • 1. No Poverty
  • 4. Quality Education
  • 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
What is your solution’s stage of development?
  • Prototype
Please share details about why you selected the stage above.

EmpowerUganda's solution is currently at the prototype stage, undergoing development and initial testing. Our vision to address youth unemployment and foster economic empowerment in Uganda is clear, but our approach is still in the early stages of implementation and refinement. We are continuously iterating on our program design based on feedback from stakeholders, including community members, partners, and beneficiaries. This iterative process allows us to test different approaches, evaluate their effectiveness, and make necessary adjustments to better meet the needs of our target population.

Before scaling up our programs, we are conducting pilot tests to assess their feasibility, relevance, and impact. These pilot tests provide valuable data and insights that inform future program enhancements and expansion efforts. Despite resource constraints such as limited funding, staff capacity, and infrastructure, we remain committed to learning and adaptation. EmpowerUganda's prototype serves as a learning opportunity for our team to gain experience, identify challenges, and develop strategies for overcoming them. We are dedicated to learning from both successes and failures to continuously improve our approach and maximize our impact.

As we navigate the prototype stage, EmpowerUganda is focused on refining and scaling our programs to effectively address youth unemployment and drive positive change in Uganda. Through ongoing learning, adaptation, and collaboration with stakeholders, we are confident in our ability to create meaningful impact and empower a new generation of entrepreneurs and employees.

Why are you applying to Solve?

EmpowerUganda is applying to Solve because we believe in the power of collaboration and collective action to drive meaningful change. We recognize Solve as a platform that brings together diverse stakeholders, including philanthropists, investors, corporations, and experts, who share our commitment to addressing global challenges. By participating in Solve, we hope to leverage its network and resources to overcome specific barriers that hinder the scalability and impact of our solution.

Specifically, EmpowerUganda faces several financial, technical, and market barriers that we believe Solve can help us overcome. Financially, securing sufficient funding to expand our programs and reach more youth in Uganda is a critical challenge. Solve's connections with potential funders and investors could provide us with access to the financial resources needed to scale our initiatives sustainably.

On the technical front, EmpowerUganda aims to leverage emerging technologies such as drone technology for agriculture and environmental monitoring. However, technical expertise and support in implementing and optimizing these technologies are essential for our success. Solve's network of technology experts and partners could offer valuable insights, mentorship, and technical assistance to enhance the effectiveness and impact of our programs.

Moreover, navigating legal, cultural, and market complexities in Uganda requires strategic partnerships and local insights. Solve's collaborative approach and global network can help us identify potential partners, navigate regulatory challenges, and ensure cultural sensitivity in our interventions. By connecting us with relevant stakeholders and providing access to tailored support and resources, Solve can help EmpowerUganda overcome barriers and accelerate our progress towards empowering youth and driving sustainable economic development in Uganda.

In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
  • Business Model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
  • Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
  • Human Capital (e.g. sourcing talent, board development)
  • Monitoring & Evaluation (e.g. collecting/using data, measuring impact)
  • Public Relations (e.g. branding/marketing strategy, social and global media)
  • Technology (e.g. software or hardware, web development/design)
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Lukwago Nicholas
More About Your Solution
Your Team
Your Business Model & Funding
Solution Team:
Lukwago Nicholas
Lukwago Nicholas
Cofounder