• Kampala delegation visits Addis Ababa for talks on tech cooperation

• Discussions cover smart cities, digital payments, infrastructure and skills

• Initiative aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 development plan

Uganda is in early talks with Ethiopia’s state-owned Ethio Telecom to boost its digital transformation agenda, according to a press release from the telecoms operator.

A delegation led by Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Minister Hajjat Minsa Kabanda visited Ethio Telecom’s headquarters to review innovations in smart cities, agriculture, mining, and education, as well as strategic assets like a modern data center. Talks covered possible cooperation on telecoms infrastructure, digital payment platforms, skills training, and technology transfer.

The initiative supports Uganda’s “Vision 2040” plan, which aims to move the country from a peasant economy to middle-income status by 2040. The 2023–2027 digital roadmap includes extending the national backbone network to over 73 districts and 20 cities, bringing 95% of government services online, expanding broadband to 90% of the territory, and connecting most SMEs to the internet.

Uganda ranks 150th globally on the UN e-Government Development Index, scoring 0.4464 – above the African average but below the global mean. Ethio Telecom said the collaboration could “co-create high-impact future solutions, contributing directly to Uganda’s Vision 2040 and advancing Kampala’s smart urban development ambitions.” Discussions remain at a preliminary stage and no formal agreement has yet been signed.

Isaac K. Kassouwi