Stanbic urges youth to tap skills, financing programmes as job market evolves

March 16, 2026 in Business, Companies by Editor

Stanbic Bank has urged university students and recent graduates to take advantage of youth empowerment programmes, internships and entrepreneurship support as Uganda’s job market evolves in response to digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

 

Uganda’s rapidly changing job market is forcing graduates to rethink how they prepare for work, with banks and employers increasingly urging students to build practical skills, networks and entrepreneurial ideas before leaving university.

At the close of the 2026 career expo at Makerere University, executives from Stanbic Bank Uganda encouraged students and recent graduates to take advantage of youth-focused training, internship and financing programmes designed to help bridge the gap between education and employment.

Israel Arinaitwe, head of personal banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda, said students should actively pursue opportunities that help sharpen skills and clarify career goals before entering the workforce.

“What we’ve done as a bank is to ensure we are youth-friendly,” Arinaitwe told participants. “We even have a dedicated head of youth whose role is to focus on programmes and opportunities specifically designed for young people.”

The career expo — which runs across multiple universities and tertiary institutions between March and April — is designed to prepare students for a labour market increasingly shaped by technological change and artificial intelligence.

Organisers say the initiative is responding to a growing challenge in Uganda’s labour market: thousands of graduates entering the workforce each year while employers increasingly demand practical skills and adaptability.

Arinaitwe noted that more than 25,000 students graduate annually from universities and tertiary institutions across the country, at a time when the world of work is rapidly evolving.

“Even before you get a job or start a business, most of you told us you first need internship opportunities,” he said.

Stanbic has partnered with several corporate clients to help students secure internship placements and early work experience — often considered a key stepping stone to employment.

The bank is also positioning itself as a financing partner for young entrepreneurs seeking to turn ideas into businesses.

“Banks will finance a good idea,” Arinaitwe said. “If you have a viable business concept, there are different financing options available to help you start your journey.”

Part of the bank’s approach involves supporting early-stage entrepreneurs through training and mentorship.

Arinaitwe highlighted the role of the Stanbic Business Incubator, which provides young entrepreneurs with hands-on training, mentorship and business development support.

The programme aims to help students translate academic knowledge into practical skills required to run a business.

“You’re learning so much in class,” he said. “But the world out there can be different. What we want is to ensure you have the practical experience needed to run a business successfully.”

Preparing for an AI-driven workplace

Beyond entrepreneurship, speakers at the expo urged students to adapt to a workplace increasingly influenced by digital technologies and automation.

Fred Percy Kisa, who leads digital transformation at National Social Security Fund Uganda, said young professionals should view artificial intelligence as a productivity tool rather than a threat.

“It’s not machine versus human,” he said. “It’s human plus machine versus human.”

Kisa argued that while machines may outperform humans in data processing and analysis, people still retain advantages in creativity, judgement and innovation.

Speakers also urged students to align career choices with long-term purpose rather than focusing solely on financial rewards.

Paul Rumanda, head of human resources at the Infectious Diseases Institute, said employers increasingly look for candidates whose values and goals align with organisational missions.

“We don’t hire just for skills,” Rumanda said. “We hire for alignment with the mission of the organisation.”

More than 50 employers, industry experts and education partners participated in the expo, offering students insights into scholarship opportunities, career planning and the future of work.

Workshops covered practical topics such as CV writing, networking, freelancing and remote work, alongside sessions on financial literacy and long-term savings.

For organisers, the annual event has become a platform for strengthening the link between universities and employers while helping students prepare for a labour market undergoing rapid transformation.

As Arinaitwe suggested, however, opportunities exist, but only for those willing to actively prepare for them.