Youth Solutions driving Uganda's Sustainable Development Journey

July 11, 2024

Octien Technologies exhibit their lighting solution to Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda and Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, UNDP Resident Representative

Uganda has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world, with 73.2 percent under 30 years of age. To achieve the social economic transformation that Uganda aspires to, the youth of Uganda must be empowered to realize their role as the next generation of leaders, champions, changemakers and influencers for sustainable development.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to empowering the youth of Uganda and positioning youth at the heart of Uganda’s sustainable development journey. With the leadership and agency of youth being critical for any development action to be effective, UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Uganda works alongside key partners to:

  • Equip youth with vocational skills through job-readiness training, workplace placement, mentoring and networking opportunities.
  • Increase competitiveness of youth within the labour market and position youth innovation and entrepreneurship as drivers of self employment.
  • Support youth-led enterprises to pilot innovative ideas and deliver commercially viable products and services.
  • Build capacities of national institutions and private sector to mainstream youth employment.
  • Stimulate recovery of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and enable youth to build sustainable and resilient enterprises.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy emphasizes energy affordability and efficiency through Target 7.1 on ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy, Target 7.3 on doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030, and Target 7.b on expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology for modern and sustainable energy services for developing countries. Meanwhile, SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities emphasizes the need for safe and affordable housing in its Target 11.1. With more insecurity in poorly lit cities and communities, the need for affordable lighting among areas marked as living under poverty is key to not only improving security but also sustainable economic development.

Octien Technologies, supported by the UNDP Creatives Innovation Challenge, is a pioneering tech company focused on creating intelligent energy solutions tailored for the African market, and addressing the challenge of access to clean energy and its affordability. Octien Technologies produces smart lighting solutions, allowing their clients to save up to 25% of their total lighting hours in addition to enjoying hassle-free lighting and improved security. Through UNDP's provision of a grant and business incubation support, the enterprise has been able to push the solution off the shelf and make it available to intended beneficiaries. Several exhibition opportunities have also been provided where they have been able to showcase their products and create awareness about their benefits. This has been instrumental and enabled them to pass several bottlenecks in their business and product development journey.

The biggest population of Africa resides in rural and semi-urban areas where most advanced and energy saving technologies are out of reach due to lack of awareness and high cost of installation. Unfortunately, the contribution of uncontrolled lighting to energy wastage is greatly underestimated, yet collectively forms the largest portion of domestic and commercial energy consumption. Affordable and efficient energy solutions such as Octien Technologies' smart lighting solutions may prove pivotal in lighting Uganda and Africa's path toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

A-Lite Uganda is innovating the way healthcare services are delivered in Uganda

SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, with Target 3.8 aiming to achieve universal health coverage including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

Improving the safety of intravenous (IV) cannulation when taking a blood sample is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of healthcare, especially in developing countries. In East Africa, 10 percent of hospitalized children are reported to be in shock and require immediate intravenous therapy. However, even the most skilled practitioners often struggle to locate veins on the first attempt, particularly with severely ill patients with collapsed or barely visible veins. This results in multiple needle pricks and delayed treatment. Multiple failed attempts to achieve venous access are painful, stressful, and costly because of the need for additional staff time, supplies, and special interventions when a proper intravenous line cannot be established. 

With support from UNDP's Youth4Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Facility, A-Lite Uganda has been able to scale up its solution to equip healthcare workers with the necessary tools to deliver seamless IV cannulation when taking blood samples and administering drugs. Their flagship product, the A-Lite vein locator, is a non-invasive medical device that utilizes red light technology to simplify the process of locating a patient's vein for IV procedures such as blood transfusions, drug administration, or delivery of nutrients. The device significantly reduces the pain, stress and cost associated with venous access, especially for patients with difficult-to-find veins. 

“UNDP's support has been crucial for our growth and access to impact investors. Thanks to this support, we have successfully secured an additional $25,000 USD,” said Emmanuel Kamuhire, A-Lite Uganda CEO. With support from UNDP and development partners, A-Lite Uganda has also been empowered to secure intellectual property rights, create employment opportunities for over 25 young people, clinically test the device in four health facilities across Uganda, conduct market research to support their business model, and establish a local facility to support development and production of their innovative medical technologies.

Such youth-led development solutions are indicative of the fact that Uganda’s youth are highly innovative and entrepreneurial, they possess significant potential as positive agents of change, and they represent a highly valuable resource that should be nurtured and invested in.

Youth skilling, innovation and entrepreneurship also serve as catalysts in the implementation of the Government of Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP III) and as enablers of UNDP’s broader development agenda in Uganda including the eradication of poverty, promotion of sustainable development, creation of opportunities for empowerment, and achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its central mission to leave no one behind.

 

By Mercy Melody Kayodi, Youth and Innovation Programme Officer