New York, 18 July 2025 (ECA) - Uganda’s drive to digitally connect 80 percent of its population by 2030 was spotlighted during a side event at the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), where the country shared its approach to harnessing digital innovation for sustainable development.
Co-organized by the Government of Uganda and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) on 16 July 2025, the session examined how science, technology and innovation (STI), alongside blended finance and public-private partnerships, can drive progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Uganda’s Minister for General Duties, Justine Kasule Lumumba, chaired the session and presented highlights from the National Digital Transformation Programme, which seeks to expand access to e-services and support fintech, agri-tech, and climate-smart solutions.
Only 36 percent of Africans currently have access to the internet, according to ECA, yet emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital public infrastructure present major opportunities to attract investment and scale homegrown innovations.
With mobile money penetration already at 75 percent, Uganda is increasingly seen as a testbed for STI-led development. The national programme targets 80 percent e-service coverage by 2030, laying the foundation for broader digital inclusion and economic growth.
Nassim Oulmane, Chief of the Green and Blue Economy Section in ECA’s Climate Change Division, stressed the need to frame digitalization as a market opportunity rather than a constraint.
He cited the AfCFTA Digital Protocol as a step toward cross-border harmonization and referenced ECA’s support to countries exploring blockchain-enabled green bonds and tokenized carbon markets.
Participants also highlighted policy tools, such as regulatory sandboxes, diaspora bonds, and R&D tax incentives, that can help attract private investment.
Mr Oulmane emphasized that Africa’s digital divide should not be viewed as a constraint but rather as an untapped market. With the right partnerships and regulatory frameworks, he said, countries like Uganda can turn digital progress into inclusive, sustainable growth.
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