Technology 25 June 2026 Nile Post

Young Women Ignite Tech Innovation at Refactory Academy Expo

The Refactory Academy's 2nd Digital Solutions Expo 2026 spotlighted young women innovators showcasing homegrown technologies designed to tackle Uganda's challenges. The event at the National ICT Innovation Hub emphasized the critical role of female talent in the nation's burgeoning digital economy. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/351495/young-women-lead-digital-revolution-at-refactory-academys-2026-solutions-expo

Nakawa buzzed with innovation as Refactory Academy hosted its second Digital Solutions Expo 2026, a vibrant showcase largely driven by young women. Under the theme “Tech Made in Uganda—Built Live!,” the event brought together a diverse crowd of developers, employers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how technology can accelerate economic growth and create youth employment.

The expo highlighted projects from participants in the 10X Program, with female innovators presenting live demonstrations of digital solutions tailored for sectors like agriculture, tourism, and energy. These technologies aim to solve real-world problems while fostering business development and job creation.

Michael Niyitegeka, Executive Director of Refactory Academy, stressed the significance of industry-led apprenticeships in bridging the gap between education and employment. “We are closing the transition gap between training and employment, and many of our apprentices have been retained by the companies where they were placed,” he stated, noting the rapid growth of Uganda’s tech sector and the need for structured talent development pathways.

Nearly 70 market-ready digital solutions, developed by Refactory Academy alumni and apprentices, were on display. Ivan Koreta Katumba, Apprenticeship Lead, described the expo as crucial for nurturing local innovation, identifying a need for more platforms to showcase and develop homegrown tech.

Industry giants like MTN MoMo Uganda and Equity Bank were present, engaging with innovators for potential collaboration, recruitment, and investment. Jemima Kariuki, Chief Product Officer at MTN MoMo Uganda Ltd, challenged the ecosystem to move beyond mere innovation towards scaling these local solutions. “The question is no longer whether Uganda can innovate. The question is whether we can scale local solutions from ideas into platforms that create national and global impact,” she urged.

The expo featured a women-led BuildFest for prototype development, a Project Discovery Zone for co-creation with businesses, and a Talent Lounge for recruitment. These initiatives are part of the broader 10X Program, a partnership between Outbox Uganda and the Mastercard Foundation, aimed at enhancing digital skills and employment for women, refugees, and persons with disabilities.

As Uganda pushes forward with its digital agenda, the expo clearly demonstrated that young women are not just participating in the tech sector but are increasingly at the forefront, shaping its future direction and impact.