Uganda draws inspiration from Vietnam’s Digitisation Story

A Ugandan delegation from the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT&NG) undertook a week-long benchmarking tour in Vietnam, expressing renewed optimism about the country’s potential to accelerate digital transformation. The delegation, led by Under Secretary Sophia Nantongo, included senior officials from the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) and representatives from ICT companies, Data Care Uganda Limited and Landsat ICT Solutions Ltd.

The team visited a wide range of ICT institutions across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, including major technology corporations such as FPT Software, Rikkei Soft, and Luvina Software; training and development centres like the Vietnam–Japan Institute for Human Resources Cooperation (VJCC); and industry associations such as VINASA, among others. These visits provided first-hand insight into the strategies that have made Vietnam one of Asia’s most dynamic digital economies.

Reflecting on the tour, Under Secretary Nantongo emphasised its strategic value: “Vietnam’s progress demonstrates what can be achieved when government, industry, and academia work together with a shared vision. Their model illustrates the importance of coordinated policy, investment in ICT skills, and sustained support for private-sector innovation. Uganda can achieve similar progress if we strengthen our institutions, nurture talent, and empower enterprises to scale.”

During the tour, the delegation observed how Vietnam’s ICT ecosystem has flourished through deliberate investment in human capital, export-oriented software services, innovation centres, and strong partnerships between government and private enterprise. Universities and private firms have developed training programs that combine technical skills, practical experience, and language and cultural preparation to produce graduates ready to compete in global markets. Many institutions implement employer-assessed internship systems, ensuring that graduates meet industry standards and contribute to Vietnam’s reputation for reliable, high-quality ICT services.

Institutions such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) showcased dual-language ICT programs, competency-based curricula, and advanced laboratories. At the same time, private firms such as Luvina Software, Rikkei Soft, Sun Asterisk, and FUJINET highlighted structured training pipelines, agile project management, AI adoption, and disciplined quality assurance practices. FPT University and FPT Software demonstrated integrated education–industry ecosystems, where talent development, international-standard certifications, and market localisation support scaling into global ICT markets. VJCC’s hybrid educational model, with employer-assessed internships, further illustrated alignment between training and labour market demands, and VINASA exemplified how a coordinated framework linking government, academia, and the private sector drives policy advocacy, startup support, and international collaboration.

The delegation noted that Vietnam’s success also stems from clear government leadership. Consistent policy direction, robust cybersecurity governance, strategic digital infrastructure, and investment in research and innovation have nurtured private enterprise and encouraged international partnerships. The private sector’s role in shaping ICT policy, developing human capital, driving innovation, and sustaining long-term growth was highlighted as equally essential. As delegate Justus Ashaba from Landsat ICT Solutions Ltd noted, “Collaborative efforts between government and private-sector partners are vital for achieving national ICT industry goals and ensuring meaningful, sustainable progress.”

The mission revealed critical lessons for Uganda. Developing industry-led curricula, apprenticeship-based training, early exposure to practical skills, and language and cultural readiness are essential for building employable talent. Strong industry–academia linkages, applied research labs, co-designed government–private strategies, export-oriented business models, consistent policy frameworks, and hybrid funding approaches emerged as key enablers of sustainable growth in the ICT sector.

Based on these insights, the Ministry plans to establish a national ICT talent pipeline, strengthen industry–academia collaboration, build an export-oriented ICT sector, and develop AI and digital governance frameworks. Long-term international cooperation will be institutionalised through operational partnerships and integration of digital matchmaking platforms.

Vietnam’s ICT transformation demonstrates the impact of coordinated policy, workforce development, and public–private partnerships in accelerating digital growth. UJ-Connect’s delegation returned with actionable lessons to strengthen Uganda’s ICT skills ecosystem, foster innovation, and position the country as a competitive player in regional and global technology markets.