A pilot initiative by the International Labour Organization (ILO) is opening new pathways to self-reliance for young people in Uganda. Launched in January 2024, the Online Gig Work Program equips youth with essential work skills and job linkages, enabling them to kickstart their careers by gaining experience through the growing gig economy.
Uganda, Africa's largest refugee-hosting country, faces high rates of youth unemployment and limited traditional job opportunities. An ILO rapid assessment revealed that online freelancing and gig work present potential livelihood options, particularly due to low entry barriers and flexible work arrangements that can be beneficial for groups like refugees who often face exclusion from labour markets.
Gig work is more than just earning money; it is a way to connect with the world beyond the refugee camp.
Daniela Kengeta, Congolese refugee in Nakivale (see more of her story here)
Despite this, barriers persist. "To unlock the potential of digital work, we must first address issues like unreliable internet, lack of connected devices, limited access to training and insufficient transversal skills for work," notes Evans Lwanga, Chief Technical Advisor of ILO PROSPECTS in Uganda. "Ensuring decent wages and labour and social protections for online workers also remains crucial. To bridge the gaps, the Online Gig Work Program, implemented with StartHub Africa and Kolaborate, aims to enhance youth access to income-generating activities in the digital economy," he explains.
Overcoming infrastructural barriers
Access to digital infrastructure is a major barrier for many young people aspiring to enter the digital economy. To overcome this, connected workspaces were set up in Nakivale Refugee Settlement and Kampala, through partnerships with Unleashed, Her Dreams Count and the Kampala City Council Authority. These hubs provide access to computers, reliable internet and electricity, and a conducive environment for learning. Collaboration with UNICEF and UNHCR further facilitated the acquisition of connected devices and mobilized digitally skilled youth.
© StartHub Africa
Boosting employability and labour rights awareness
The pilot was designed to onboard 200 young people with skills in graphic design, web development, data processing, content writing, and social media management. However, the overwhelming response saw nearly 1,800 applicants from Kampala and Isingiro districts. After screening, only 600 met the criteria, and 197 successfully completed a 10-day intensive training with one-on-one coaching sessions.
"Freelancing is not as easy as it seems. Most jobs require several years of experience and positive reviews from past clients, making it difficult for newcomers to break in," shares Zulum Avila, ILO Specialist for Employment Strategies in the Digital Economy. "The program responds to this specific challenge through a training package to develop core work skills that help young people meet client expectations," she adds.
The training covers personal branding, professional communication, customer relations, technical and financial proposal writing, and the use of AI and other digital tools to boost productivity. To ensure sustainability, eight Master Trainers-including refugees-were trained to cascade the methodology to future cohorts.
I became better at communicating with others, managing my time, and organizing projects-skills that are useful not only in my gig work but also in my everyday life and my role as a community leader.
Rolande Ansiima, Congolese refugee in Nakivale (see more of his story here)
Another critical aspect of the training is the awareness-raising sessions conducted by the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) on labour rights for online workers, offering practical advice on navigating the challenges of online work.
Facilitating job linkages and paving the way to bigger opportunities
After training, participants complete a test project which allows trainers to assess their readiness for job placements or recommend further upskilling if needed. Youth deemed ready are now being connected with clients seeking freelancing services via the Kolaborate platform.
For some participants, online gigs serves as a gateway to bigger opportunities, enabling them to hone their digital skills and earn an income while working toward their goals and aspirations. For instance, Eddy Marumbi, a primary school teacher, joined the program to improve and apply his own digital skills in real-life projects before passing it on to his students.
Teaching is my passion, but without the proper resources and training, it is hard to provide quality education. I want to use my digital skills to create educational resources for refugee children. My dream is to enhance their learning experiences despite the challenges they face.
Eddy Marumbi, Congolese refugee in Nakivale (see more of his story here)
Overcoming challenges and looking ahead
Throughout implementation, some hurdles arose, including participant dropouts due to transportation difficulties and balancing training with other responsibilities. To mitigate these, the ILO introduced transport refunds, created WhatsApp support groups, and offered flexible training schedules. Offline learning materials were also provided for participants with unreliable internet access.
Looking ahead, the ILO is building on the lessons learned from this pilot to explore scaling the programme to other refugee-hosting communities across Uganda, with the goal of creating a more inclusive digital economy for all.
