Skilling Uganda’s Young Creatives for a Digital Age

Digitalization has transformed the culture and creative industries (CCIs), giving artists new avenues for producing and distributing creative goods and services while reaching a wider range of consumers globally through digital platforms such as social media and e-commerce platforms. As markets shift online, creatives are afforded greater independence from traditional intermediaries and middlemen (such as publishers or galleries). This shift has increasingly transformed CCIs into a viable income source for youth, allowing them to monetize their passions along the entire value chain, from production to consumption, thereby creating additional work prospects.

However, this digital transition makes skilling complex for young creatives. Formal education doesn’t necessarily teach the skills needed to harness these technologies, and the creative sector evolves rapidly. In a world where digitalization—and the skills associated with digitalization—are becoming increasingly important in the structural transformation of economies, there is limited research to understand the nature and extent of digitalization and digital skills gaps in Africa.

To fill this knowledge gap, Caribou interviewed 80 people in CCIs—poets, illustrators, actors, writers, podcasters, visual artists, and gamers—all between 18 and 35 years, based in Kampala. Interviews focused on these research questions:

• What are the benefits and challenges of digitalization that young creatives see?
• What skills do youth use and need as creatives in today’s digitalized age?
• Do available skilling opportunities address the needs of creatives in a digital age?

This report summarizes and synthesizes this research, which was published in full in the following three studies:

1. “Uganda’s Culture and Creative Industries in a Digital Age: A Landscape Review” provides an overview of relevant literature and identifies research questions.
2. “Skills for a Digital Age for Uganda’s Young Creatives” shares findings from primary research with young creatives and other actors in the sector.
3. “Skilling Uganda’s Young Creatives in a Digital Age: Recommendations” offers action steps for the skilling of Uganda’s young creatives.