Pearl Gakazi, the founder and CEO of Kolaborate Platforms, is on a mission to redefine the future of work for young people in Uganda.
“At Kolaborate, we genuinely believe that the future of work will be defined by how collaboratively we can operate,” Pearl explains. “Partnerships, rather than top-down approaches, will lead the way forward.”
She testifies that the Kolaborate platform is already making this vision a reality. The company identifies some of Uganda’s most talented young people, then upskills, vets, coaches, and matches them with jobs and freelance gigs around the world. While Uganda’s innovation ecosystem is currently the biggest source of opportunities, Kolaborate is also connecting Ugandans to employers in countries such as Kenya, the United States, and beyond.
As part of the country’s growing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) system, Kolaborate is committed to creating dignified opportunities for Ugandans. One of its most transformative experiences has been participation in the UJ Connect project—a pilot initiative supported by the Governments of Uganda through the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Japan through JICA.
“For Kolaborate, being selected to participate in the UJ Connect project was a turning point. We were matched with Japanese companies, pitched our ideas, and were fortunate to be accepted by a few,” Pearl recalls. “Today, we still deliver some jobs on their behalf.”
The collaboration went beyond business deals. Kolaborate gained valuable lessons in project management, effective communication, and precision. They also experienced firsthand the Japanese work ethic—characterized by humility, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to service.
“Sometimes work is not always going to be fun,” Pearl reflects, “but we must approach it with responsibility and see it as service.”
Another eye-opening lesson came from observing Japanese workspaces, each carefully designed to match its function. This taught Kolaborate the importance of creating environments that reflect purpose and professionalism.
The UJ Connect project has not only provided mentorship and training but also created real business opportunities. Kolaborate was compensated for its work and is now preparing to participate in a major expo in Japan. “This would never have happened without the first olive branch extended by the Government of Uganda and the support of JICA,” Pearl emphasizes.
Looking ahead, Kolaborate plans to expand its footprint in Japan by building new partnerships, positioning itself for growth, and creating more opportunities for Ugandans to work on global projects. As a full end-to-end delivery company, Kolaborate handles everything from hiring and project management to final delivery, ensuring that Ugandan talent shines on the world stage.
“All we need as Ugandans are opportunities and a bit of patience to refine ourselves and compete globally.”
With good leaders and companies like Kolaborate, Uganda’s innovation ecosystem is proving that its talent can not only meet but also exceed global standards.
WATCH: When Ugandan Innovators are given Global platforms.