Every year, a large number of youth enter Uganda’s job market in an effort to put their University qualifications to good use and earn a living. However, the government, corporate world, SMEs and NGOs only absorb a small percentage of these youths, leaving a large number of them either returning to school to specialize in a specific area or doing odd jobs for survival.
Some of the brave youths have decided to join the informal sector and step out of the job hunting routine. They have put their academic qualifications aside and are leading with their skills, talents and passions. This has led to a new trend of the would-be employers, now collaborating with and promoting these young entrepreneurs by providing tools that can ease their work.
Airtel Uganda, for instance, has embarked on a mission to promote Uganda’s budding talent and support the various young entrepreneurs in the country with the launch of an online web series titled ‘My Hustle’.
My Hustle is a web series that shares the stories of budding entrepreneurs in Uganda whose businesses are powered by Airtel Uganda’s reliable and fast internet. It has so far aired three episodes, which showcase three ‘hustlers’ who have innovated products for the Ugandan consumers.
The first episode features Kwizera Alex, a passionate and innovative visual artist who uses Facebook to share his pieces with Uganda and the world; the second episode shows Akaboxi founder and trained mechanical engineer Ntege Gonzaga who makes customized saving boxes and uses Facebook and WhatsApp to market his products. The third episode features So Chic founder and 22-year old Samantha Okullo who custom-makes and sells fully designed weaves.
The self-taught Samantha uses Airtel internet to update her skills by watching YouTube videos and to market her products via Facebook and Instagram.
John Ssenkenzi, the Airtel Uganda Digital Marketing and Strategic Alliances Manager noted that ‘My Hustle’ complements the government’s focus on youth jobs and unemployment.
Being one of the youngest nations in the world, the youth is an obvious place to start,” he notes, adding that “Through these episodes, we are showing support to the young businesses that have trusted our internet to take them to the next level and are encouraging everyone with the talent, skills and passion to come aboard.”
