At the Kampala Blockchain Summit 2025, MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge highlighted the urgent need to bridge Uganda’s digital gap if the nation is to reach its ambitious goal of a $500 billion economy by 2040. Speaking alongside Dr. Tumubweinee Twinemanzi of the Bank of Uganda and Reginald Tumusiime, President of the Blockchain Association of Uganda (BAU), Mulinge emphasized that digital inclusion is essential to unlocking the potential of Uganda’s youthful population.
“Productivity is the next frontier,” Mulinge declared, stressing that access to technology will determine whether Uganda can harness its demographic dividend or miss critical economic opportunities. She underscored that the country’s youth must be online and equipped with skills to convert technology into tangible outcomes for innovation and growth.
Africa is set to host the world’s largest working-age population, and Uganda’s success hinges on leveraging this demographic. Despite 87% of Ugandans having mobile broadband access, only 29% actively use the internet. Mulinge warned that such a digital divide threatens Uganda’s ability to compete globally and realize its vision of economic transformation.
The summit also explored the relationship between innovation and regulation. Dr. Twinemanzi noted that while technology often moves faster than regulation, a balanced approach is necessary. Regulation, he said, should empower innovation rather than hinder it, safeguarding consumers while supporting growth. He also highlighted the need for caution with emerging financial technologies such as stablecoins and gold-backed products to maintain financial stability.
Mulinge emphasized that technology succeeds when it solves real problems, citing mobile money as a prime example of financial inclusion in Africa. “Blockchain and stablecoins must address practical issues,” she said, pointing to opportunities in remittances, trade settlement, and government transparency as areas where digital tools can have immediate impact. She also noted MTN Uganda’s investment in local talent as crucial to fostering innovation and strengthening the country’s tech ecosystem.
Uganda’s competitive advantage, Mulinge argued, lies in addressing the everyday challenges of its people. By focusing on local problems, the country can drive digital adoption, boost economic growth, and position itself ahead of regional peers like Kenya, which are also advancing virtual asset regulations. Dr. Twinemanzi echoed this, emphasizing a stable regulatory framework that balances consumer protection with room for innovation.
For BAU President Reginald Tumusiime, the summit signaled a turning point. “This is where Uganda moves from dialogue to action,” he said, noting that blockchain is already transforming cross-border payments, reducing remittance costs, and expanding financial access for millions of unbanked Africans. Uganda has the potential to lead the continent in digital innovation, but it requires swift, coordinated efforts.
Looking ahead, Mulinge reiterated that the future of Uganda’s economy depends on closing the digital divide and equipping a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. The Kampala Blockchain Summit 2025 highlighted the urgency of action, the need for strong leadership, and the immense potential that lies in a digitally empowered Uganda ready to achieve its $500 billion vision.
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