No Internet, No Growth: The Hidden Barrier for Young Entrepreneurs in Uganda
In Uganda, thousands of talented young entrepreneurs are being left behind—not because they lack skills or ambition, but because they simply can’t afford a smartphone or daily internet bundles. From tailors and shoemakers to content creators and students, many are locked out of the digital economy, unable to market their businesses, learn new skills, or connect with opportunities online. At Tez Child Fund Africa, we believe that access to the internet—and the tools to use it—should not be a privilege. We're working to provide affordable smartphones and create free Wi-Fi zones in underserved communities, so every young person has a fair shot at success. Because in today’s world, no smartphone means no internet—and no internet means no growth.

In the heart of Luweero, John Kasozi repairs shoes in a small room. He dreams of expanding his business—offering delivery, showcasing his custom shoe designs, maybe even taking online orders. But there's one problem: he doesn't own a smartphone.

"I hear other people are on Facebook, TikTok, even WhatsApp Business," he says. "But for me, it's just a dream."

John is just one of thousands of young Ugandans caught in the digital divide—not because they lack ideas, passion, or skills, but because they lack the tools to connect. In today’s world, having access to the internet isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifeline. It’s how young entrepreneurs market their products, find clients, learn new skills, and grow their businesses.

Yet in Uganda, millions still live offline. For many, the cost of a basic smartphone is more than a month’s income. Daily internet bundles, while seemingly cheap, add up quickly—eating into food money or school fees. As a result, promising entrepreneurs are locked out of the digital economy.

The Real Cost of Being Left Behind

  • A brilliant high school graduate can’t apply for online jobs because they don’t have an email address.
  • A young tailor can’t learn new techniques from YouTube or connect with customers online.
  • An artist misses opportunities because they can’t showcase their work on social media.

This digital exclusion is slowing down Uganda’s youth-led progress. It's not because young people aren’t trying—it's because the system isn’t fair. Some have the tools and the connection. Most do not.

A Simple Solution: Connection and Access

That’s where Tez Child Fund Africa comes in.

Tez Child Fund Africa is working to bridge the gap by:

  • Providing affordable smartphones to young entrepreneurs who can’t afford them.
  • Setting up free Wi-Fi zones in underserved communities, marketplaces, and schools.
  • Offering digital literacy training so young people can make the most of the internet when they finally get connected.

But we can't do it alone.

How You Can Help

Your donation—no matter how small—can change someone’s life.

  • $20 can provide internet access for a young person for a month.
  • $50 can help buy a starter smartphone.
  • $500 can support the installation of a public Wi-Fi point in a rural trading center.

When you donate to Tez Child Fund Africa, you're not just giving a device or data. You're unlocking opportunity—for a tailor, a mechanic, a student, a content creator. You're investing in the future of Uganda.

Because in today’s world, no internet means no growth. And no smartphone means no chance.

Let’s change that—together.

👉 Donate today at https://tezchildfundafrica.com/donate/

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