{"id":24388,"date":"2025-11-03T11:17:05","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T11:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/?p=24388"},"modified":"2025-11-03T11:39:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T11:39:48","slug":"gsma-unveils-latest-report-showing-digital-policy-reforms-could-add-ugx-14-6-trillion-to-ugandas-gdp-connect-4-million-more-citizens-by-2030","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/newsroom\/press-release\/gsma-unveils-latest-report-showing-digital-policy-reforms-could-add-ugx-14-6-trillion-to-ugandas-gdp-connect-4-million-more-citizens-by-2030\/","title":{"rendered":"GSMA Unveils Latest Report\u00a0Showing\u00a0Digital Policy Reforms Could Add UGX 14.6\u00a0Trillion\u00a0to Uganda\u2019s GDP, Connecting 4\u00a0Million\u00a0More Citizens by 2030\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

3 November 2025, Kampala: <\/strong>Unveiled today at the GSMA Digital Africa Summit Uganda<\/a>, a new GSMA report reveals that with the right digital reforms, Uganda could connect 4 million more citizens to the internet<\/strong>, create 1.79 million new jobs<\/strong>, and generate UGX 14.6 trillion<\/strong> in additional economic value by 2030. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titled Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Uganda \u2013 Opportunities, Policy Reforms and the Role of Mobile<\/em><\/a>, the report outlines how collaborative policy action can accelerate inclusive growth and ensure every Ugandan benefits from the digital economy envisioned in the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) and the Digital Uganda Vision 2040 (DUV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advancing Uganda\u2019s Prosperity Through Digital Inclusion<\/strong> 
 
Uganda\u2019s mobile sector is a cornerstone of the nation\u2019s digital transformation \u2013 connecting people to education, healthcare, and financial services, and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs across both urban and rural communities. It also provides the digital backbone for growth in key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Uganda\u2019s Digital Transformation Roadmap, the ICT industry contributes 9% to national GDP, employs over 2.3 million Ugandans, and continues to expand at an impressive annual rate of 14.8%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GSMA analysis shows that 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. This progress supports the country\u2019s NDP IV 2030 goals of achieving 70% national broadband coverage and 45% internet usage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, three in four Ugandans who live within mobile broadband coverage still do not use it \u2013 a usage gap driven by barriers such as the high cost of entry-level smartphones, unreliable energy supply, sector taxes that impact affordability and limited digital skills. Overcoming these challenges is vital to ensuring that every Ugandan can connect, participate, and prosper in the country\u2019s digital future. 
 
Unlocking the Next Phase of Uganda\u2019s Digital Transformation<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uganda has already established solid foundations for its digital economy, with clear strategies under the NDP IV, the DUV, and the roadmap. The GSMA notes that the country\u2019s policy direction is well aligned with its ambitions, but reaching the next stage of digital adoption will require greater policy predictability, affordable access, and long-term investment in innovation and skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report calls for a renewed partnership between government, industry and development partners to ensure that every Ugandan can benefit from digital progress. This collaboration is centred on five priority reforms designed to expand connectivity, enhance inclusion and strengthen Uganda\u2019s long-term competitiveness in the digital age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five Priorities to Empower Citizens and Grow the Digital Economy<\/strong> 
<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GSMA calls for a people-centred policy framework that promotes affordability, innovation and digital skills. Five proposed key priorities would help Uganda achieve its NDP IV and DUV objectives: <\/p>\n\n\n\n