Emerging tech from Uganda shine at GITEX Global 2024
In Uganda, the Youth Startup Academy works with promising tech entrepreneurs to take their businesses to the next level.
Twelve of the best showed their businesses at GITEX Global, the world’s largest tech and startup event with over 6,000 exhibitors from 180 countries.
The event ran 14 to 18 October in Dubai, on the theme of ‘Global collaboration to forge a future AI economy’.
One of the YSA startups, Neexa AI, landed a coveted spot as a speaker at the Tech Talk series. The company gave a talk on AI's Impact on Africa: Reshaping the Consumer of Today for Tomorrow. Neexa AI shared its experience in using artificial intelligence to handle customer queries on websites, WhatsApp and social media platforms. As a result of their talk, Neexa AI has signed a memorandum of understanding with a global entity as first step in cooperation.
‘Africa is a home to 54 countries with diverse cultures, speaking over 2,000 languages,’ said CEO Ethan Bampeire. ‘At Neexa AI, we're witnessing firsthand, how AI is breaking language barriers and expanding the customer base for businesses across the continent. This is just the beginning of a brighter future.’ Ethan is about to graduate with YSA Cohort 4. His business uses an AI-powered sales agent to engage customers and convert leads into sales.
Monica Masanza, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Uganda visited all 12 of the promising entrepreneurs and was amazed to know about each of their products.
Trixie LohMirmand, head of KAOUN International which organizes GITEX, showed appreciation towards the presence of the Uganda startups at both their Global event and their Africa event.
The Youth Startup Academy gives advanced skills to Ugandan entrepreneurs in artificial intelligence, the internet of things, information technology, and mobility. YSA Uganda startups have attracted attention to their unique business ideas, marking a significant milestone in the tech ecosystem.
About YSAU
The YSAU is a project funded by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups Korea and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with Hive Colab and the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U). The overall project objective is to contribute to increasing youth employment in Uganda. The project aims to improve the startup ecosystem for young entrepreneurs in Uganda which will drive innovation and job creation in the region.
