Uganda could connect 4 million more citizens to the internet, create 1.79 million new jobs, and add Shs 14.6 trillion in economic value by 2030 with the right digital reforms, according to a new report by the GSMA.
The report, Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Uganda – Opportunities, Policy Reforms and the Role of Mobile, was unveiled at the GSMA Digital Africa Summit in Kampala on Monday.
It outlines how collaborative policy action could accelerate inclusive growth and ensure every Ugandan benefits from the digital economy envisioned under the National Development Plan IV and the Digital Uganda Vision 2040.
Uganda’s mobile sector remains central to the country’s economic transformation, connecting citizens to education, healthcare, and financial services, while enabling growth across agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and other key industries.
According to the government’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, the ICT sector contributes 9% to Uganda’s GDP, employs more than 2.3 million people, and is expanding at an annual rate of 14.8%.
GSMA data show Uganda now has 96% 4G population coverage and 11.46 million unique mobile internet users — equivalent to 22% of the total population and 48% of adults. However, three in four Ugandans who live within mobile broadband coverage still do not use it.
The report attributes this usage gap to factors such as the high cost of smartphones, unreliable energy supply, limited digital skills, and sector taxes that make access less affordable.
“Uganda’s digital transformation is about people; enabling every citizen, entrepreneur and community to thrive in a connected economy,” said Angela Wamola, Head of Africa at the GSMA. “By making access more affordable and policies more predictable, Uganda can ensure that digital progress delivers for everyone.”
The report identifies five policy priorities to help Uganda meet its digital development goals: creating a stable investment environment, accelerating digital taxation reforms, promoting affordable smartphones, strengthening energy and ICT infrastructure coordination, and modernising regulation for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud services.
GSMA modelling suggests that implementing these reforms by 2030 could extend 4G population coverage from 96% to 99% with an investment of just $10 million — significantly lower than the current $550 million required under existing policies.
Other projected outcomes include connecting an additional 4 million Ugandans to the internet, generating 1.79 million new jobs, and boosting tax revenues by Shs 2.1 trillion through increased digitalisation across key sectors.
MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge said the report underscores the importance of collective action in realising Uganda’s digital ambitions.
“The GSMA findings reaffirm that connectivity is the foundation of economic growth and social inclusion. Through our Ambition 2025 strategy, MTN Uganda is investing to ensure that every Ugandan can access affordable, reliable, and secure digital services,” She said.
“But this vision can only be achieved through strong collaboration; aligning government policy, private sector investment, and innovation to bridge the digital divide and power inclusive growth.”
The GSMA urged the Ugandan government, regulators, and private sector to strengthen collaboration in implementing the proposed reforms, arguing that a predictable policy and investment environment would help position Uganda as a digital leader in East Africa.
