As Uganda positions itself as a continental leader in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), tech entrepreneur and youth advocate Okello Robert Bob has launched an ambitious initiative to create one million digital earning opportunities for African youth by 2030.
Through his organisation, Maarifasasa, Okello aims to equip young people with marketable digital skills and connect them directly to global income opportunities, especially in remote work, freelancing, and BPO sectors.
“We don’t just stop at training,” Okello said in a recent interview. “We help young people secure paid opportunities, whether through freelance platforms, remote roles, or digital entrepreneurship. Our model only works when the youth start earning.”
Named from the Swahili phrase meaning “Knowledge Now,” Maarifasasa emphasises urgency and action. Unlike traditional training-only models, the organisation prioritises job placement, partnering with global companies, freelance platforms, and SMEs across Africa to offer real employment pathways.
Okello’s passion for youth empowerment is deeply personal. Born in Barlwala, a small village in Lira District, his early life was marked by hardship. After nearly dropping out of school after Primary Seven due to financial constraints, he excelled in national exams and earned scholarships that took him to Norway’s United World College and later to the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a degree in African Development Engineering.
“That journey taught me that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” he said. “I wanted to change that reality for others who come from where I come from.”
In 2016, while studying in Italy on an exchange program, Okello encountered African migrants struggling in Rome—a moment that left a lasting impact. “It broke my heart. I imagined a different story, one where Africans didn’t have to flee to find dignity,” he said. “That’s when I decided to return home and start Maarifasasa.”
His mission aligns closely with Uganda’s national drive to expand its digital economy. In February 2025, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance launched a new BPO policy and strategy, aiming to create thousands of jobs and attract international outsourcing opportunities.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Aminah Zawedde recently noted that Uganda’s emerging BPO sector could generate over UGX 3 billion in revenue this year alone. “Uganda has a golden opportunity to be Africa’s digital talent capital,” Okello said. “We have the population, the language skills, and the adaptability. What we need is investment in infrastructure, skilling, and job pipelines.”
Maarifasasa’s training programs focus on in-demand skills like virtual assistance, content moderation, customer support, digital marketing, and data entry. However, its real innovation lies in its success model: the organisation only earns once its trainees start earning. “Our success is tied to theirs. That’s Ubuntu in action,” said Okello.
The organisation also nurtures digital entrepreneurship, encouraging youth to launch online businesses, become freelancers, and create culturally relevant content for both local and global audiences.
Okello has been particularly vocal about boosting African visibility in the global digital space. During a recent flight to Eswatini, he noticed the near absence of Ugandan content in the airline’s entertainment system.
“We must be visible in global platforms—from Netflix to airline screens. Our music, film, and stories should be part of the digital narrative,” he said. “Local content isn’t just about heritage—it’s an economic opportunity.”
By 2030, Okello envisions a Pan-African network of Digital Impact Hubs, with young Africans not only participating in but leading the digital economy. “We want to build futures our youth don’t have to flee from,” he said. “That’s what success looks like.”
He urged African governments, investors, and technology stakeholders to move with urgency. “If I had two minutes with the continent’s digital policymakers, I’d say this: Skills, jobs, infrastructure. Make those your top priorities. Africa’s future depends on it.”
For Ugandan youth seeking opportunities in BPO and digital work, Maarifasasa offers free and affordable training, job placement support, and a growing community of digital workers.
