By Winfred Nankanja, Communication and PR Associate – NIIH
In the heart of Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, Robert Bob Okello, founder of Maarifasasa Ltd, is leading a bold mission tackling one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: youth unemployment. His company is positioning itself as a bridge between Africa’s vast talent pool and the global digital economy.
Africa is home to the youngest population in the world, yet nearly 100 million young Africans remain offline. This digital divide leaves millions locked out of opportunities for meaningful work. Maarifasasa Ltd is addressing this gap by equipping young people with in-demand digital and technology skills while connecting them to remote jobs with companies worldwide.
The model is simple but powerful: train, skill, and place. On one side, the company invests in training young Africans in digital jobs, ranging from software development to business process outsourcing (BPO). On the other hand, it partners with businesses across the globe, deploying this talent to deliver quality work remotely. This creates a win-win situation where global companies access high-quality talent at scale, while African youth gain access to dignified employment opportunities.
Recently, Robert joined a team of other innovators to represent Uganda on the UJ Connect project, a partnership between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. The innovation trip to Japan was a turning point for both him as a CEO and for Maarifasasa Ltd as a company.
“Japan opened our eyes to what’s possible,” Robert shares. “We saw firsthand the demand for ICT talent, especially software engineers, and realized how much Uganda can contribute.”
Through visits to Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, and interactions with Japanese tech businesses and startups, Maarifasasa gained a deeper appreciation for Japan’s technology ecosystem. More importantly, the trip enabled the company to forge strategic connections with businesses keen on sourcing skilled ICT talent from Uganda.
Looking ahead, Maarifasasa is prioritizing two areas:
- Scaling technical talent development, especially highly qualified software engineers, to meet global demand.
- Strengthening partnerships with Japanese companies to match Uganda’s talent with international opportunities.
What started as a vision to combat youth unemployment is quickly becoming a continental movement. Maarifasasa Ltd is not only placing Uganda on the global outsourcing map but also proving that with the right skills and connections, Africa’s youth can lead in the digital economy.
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