Estdev

Our goal in Uganda is to contribute to the country’s development plans set forth by Uganda Vision 2040. By 2040, Uganda aspires to be a country with equal access to education, improved quality of education, and reduced unemployment and corruption. Digitalisation is seen as one of the main catalysts for this vision, and in search of solutions Uganda is looking to Estonia for guidance in building a successful e-government.

The vision document is accompanied by five-year plans, the third of which is currently being implemented. The priorities of the Third National Development Plan are improving the quality of education, strengthening the private sector, creating jobs, and developing infrastructure and the agricultural sector. Together with various international organizations, local civil society organizations, and the public sector, ESTDEV contributes to education, teacher training, and digital transformation. Since many digital solutions are already in use in the Ugandan education system, there is a need to support the process of data collection, management, and analysis to ensure evidence-based decision-making in this area. In addition, one of ESTDEV’s goals for the coming year, together with local partners, is to help improve the quality of the IT workforce, which in the long run will also help increase the development and usability of the country’s e-services.

From 2009–2021, we supported Uganda through a number of development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects amounting to nearly 2 million euros and 16 implemented projects. The five currently active projects focus mainly on the deployment of e-learning solutions and digital competencies, as well as on youth entrepreneurship.

Global Sustainable Development Goals in Uganda

Priority areas of Estonian development cooperation in Uganda

• Digital transformation – assessment of national digital maturity and preparation of the corresponding roadmap, including development of existing and new e-government tools and e-services.
• Entrepreneurship – developing a start-up ecosystem and increasing 21st-century skills among young people; increasing the competitiveness of young people and women in the labor market; introducing digital opportunities through evolving skill sets.
• Education – providing e-learning solutions; making e-learning materials more accessible; developing digital competences.

Important documents

• Estonian Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030
• Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Program 2022-2025 (in Estonian)
• Estonian Regional Strategy for Africa 2020-2030 (in Estonian)
• Estonia’s Cooperation with African Countries

Ongoing projects in Uganda