Stanbic, UCC & Ongea Announce Digital Creators Summit; Award Scholarships

Stanbic Bank Uganda, in partnership with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Ongea Africa and the Uganda Digital Society, has officially launched the Stanbic Ongea Digital Creators Summit 2025, a national platform aimed at strengthening Uganda’s growing digital and creative economy.

The press launch, held on Friday at Onomo Hotel in Kampala, convened key players from the creator community, regulators, media partners and youth skilling organisations to signal the beginning of a major push toward empowering young digital creators with the tools, knowledge and financial inclusion needed to thrive.

Youth and women sit at the centre of social transformation

Speaking at the launch, Lois Aber Kwikiriza, Stanbic Bank’s Marketing and Brand Manager for CIB & BCB, said the Summit reflects the bank’s commitment to accelerating youth-focused innovation and digital transformation.

“When discussing social transformation, it’s clear that youth and women sit at the centre,” Kwikiriza said. “For today’s young people, content creation isn’t only about expression; it’s a practical avenue for earning.”

Kwikiriza announced that Stanbic Bank, under its Women, Youth & Farmers (WYF) Agenda, is investing UGX 1 trillion over the next three years to expand opportunities for young people, including those in the creator sector.

She also unveiled the Stanbic Digital Content Creator Annual Prize—five scholarship-based awards that will be given at the Summit: Creator of the Year – Premium Professional Course, Emerging Creator Award – Short Course, Social Impact Creator Award – Mid-Level Course, Entertainment Excellence Award – Motion Graphics & Animation and Financial Literacy Creator Award – Business & Management Insights.

The scholarships will be delivered through Red & Yellow, accessed locally via the Uganda Digital Society (UDS). “Skills outlive trophies,” Kwikiriza said. “These scholarships will give creators world-class capabilities to grow, monetise and professionalise their work.”

She added that Stanbic’s youth banking benefits — including free digital accounts, flexible savings and financial literacy programmes — are tailored to support creators operating as small businesses. “Creators are shaping meaningful impact in our digital society” — Uganda Digital Society

John Ssenkenzi, President of the Uganda Digital Society (UDS), welcomed the initiative and its potential to strengthen Uganda’s digital creator ecosystem. “We are looking forward to this summit, especially for the creators who are shaping meaningful impact in our digital society,” Ssenkenzi said.

UDS will coordinate the administration of the scholarship programme and capacity-building tracks during the Summit.

Responsible Content and Digital Safety

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) praised the launch, noting that the Summit aligns with national digital transformation goals.

Kenneth Tweheyo, UCC’s Head of Competition and Consumer Affairs, said the Commission is committed to fostering a safe, innovative and inclusive digital environment. “We support platforms like the Ongea Summit because they encourage responsible content creation, digital safety and innovation,” Tweheyo said. “Together, we can grow a safe, inclusive and empowered digital ecosystem.”

UCC highlighted key focus areas including consumer protection, fair pricing, digital literacy campaigns, innovation hubs and nationwide network coverage.

A national development platform

Ongea Africa’s Summit Director, Joseph Kanyamunyu, described the event as more than a conference. “The Stanbic Ongea Digital Creators Summit is designed to empower creators with skills, business tools, policy awareness and commercial opportunities,” he said. “Uganda’s youth deserve platforms that help them rise, create and grow sustainably.”

Kanyamunyu announced that the 2025 edition will feature: Ongea Skills Lab for digital and business training, responsible content and digital safety workshops, the Ongea Awards, linked to Stanbic’s scholarships, roundtable sessions bringing together brands, regulators and creators and a 50% discounted Red & Yellow training offer for up to 200 delegates.

The Stanbic Ongea Digital Creators Summit 2025 is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Uganda’s standing in Africa’s fast-growing digital creator economy by expanding digital and financial literacy, promoting responsible and safe content creation, bridging creators with business, financing and policy stakeholders, enhancing youth employment readiness and deepening public-private sector collaboration.