Wednesday 31 st May 2023 Kampala, Uganda- MTN Uganda has unveiled the second phase of MTN ACE-Tech known as the MTN Ace-Tech-Incubation program aimed at equipping enterprises with skills needed to successfully spur growth of their businesses. This follows conclusion of the MTN Ace-Tech's first phase this month that involved training 130 individuals in software development. MTN Uganda Foundation and the partners have selected 20 enterprises to participate in the inaugural MTN Ace Tech program's incubation phase at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa in Kampala. The incubation is to be implemented by MTN Foundation through its MTN ACE Tech, Centenary Technology Services and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, implemented by Innovation Village, a Kampala-based nongovernmental organisation dedicated to convening various stakeholders to collaborate with and support entrepreneurs to bring ideas to life that leverage technology for scale and to solve the most pressing problems in society. Bryan Mbasa, the Senior Manager at MTN Foundation said the selected participants out of 40 that submitted their applications this year will undergo a 13-week training in commercializing their business ideas and managing growth.  “Throughout this journey, the participants will attend all the master classes, workshops, webinars, networking events and so on, and access tools and high-quality coaches and mentors to support in applying the concepts and insights gained, from the various program sessions towards refining the enterprises,” he said. He said selected enterprises cut across various sectors including digital financial services, agriculture and transport. Mbasa said enterprises that will emerge best in the incubation will have an opportunity to meet a wide range of prospective local and international investors for an opportunity to raise an early-stage financing round to spur their growth. “We, at MTN Uganda, believe in the power of entrepreneurship to create a positive social and economic impact in our communities, and throughout this incubation, we're proud to support entrepreneurs and enterprises to unlock their potential and create opportunities for growth and development,” he said. Uganda is ranked as one of the most enterprising countries in the world with high percentages of new business each year, according to Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). However, the business failure rate remains also high due to inadequate skills and proper product positioning. This also coincides with the government's National Development Plan (NDPIII) which recognizes the potential of ICT to drive economic growth, innovation and job creation. Rowena Turinawe, the Head of Innovation and Digital Services at Centenary Technology Services, said they are glad to be part of the MTN Ace Tech incubator because it aligns directly with the mission of providing holistic technology solutions and delivers innovation that matters to enable and inspire entrepreneurial growth. “This initiative will provide pathways for highly skilled innovators to create sustainable and scalable solutions that support service delivery, create employment opportunities, and improve the use of ICT innovation and technology development in the country and this fits perfectly into our agenda,” she said. “We want to see the youth rise to their potential, equip them with technical skills, open opportunities for them to gain employment and spur innovation as well as entrepreneurship in Uganda.” “Who better to share about Business than those that have walked the path - MTN with 25 years of experience across Africa, Centenary with 40 years of experience across Uganda and now Malawi. That's combined 75years of business excellence that the selected participants will tap into the MTN ACE program,” Rowena concluded. Arthur Mukembo, the Future Lab Studio Lead at Innovation Village said the new partnership the new initiative through the Future Lab Studio, the Innovation Village will support innovators to build and scale solutions by creating pathways that give these enterprises opportunities to build better enterprises. “This innovative will also enable enterprises to access market opportunities, unlock relevant funding to sustain their growth as they work to improve the lives and livelihoods of Ugandans as they scale into Africa and beyond,” he said. Meanwhile, Agnes Lumala, the academic registrar at the Uganda Institute of Information Communications and Technology, which hosts the National ICT Innovation Hub, said the government's partnership with the private sector now crucial to drive new technologies. “Whereas pushing the digitalization agenda is crucial for government to attain economic recovery, we cannot achieve it without support of the private sector,” she said, acknowledging the contributions of MTN Foundation, Centenary Technology Services and the Innovation Village towards the digital agenda. MTN Ace Tech is one of the three MTN ACE program launched in December last year and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, The National ICT Innovation Hub, Centenary Technology Services, Refactory, MUBS Entrepreneurship Innovation, and Incubation Centre, Engage Consults and MTN's Fintech subsidiary, MTN MoMo Uganda Limited to empower the youths.