A community for social enterprise · Part of the NFT Consult group

Igniting sustainable livelihoods for 1 million young Ugandans.

From the classroom to a thriving career or business, NFT Ignite walks with young people through every stage of youth, and scales through partnerships.

See the pathway Our partners
1,000,000youth impacted by 2030
5 yearsstrategic roadmap, 2025–2030
3reinforcing focus areas
6stages on the Ignite pathway

Our purpose

“NFT Ignite exists to support young Ugandans through the different stages of their youth, from education all the way to attaining a thriving livelihood. We will be able to scale through partnerships.”
Long-term outcomesFrom short-term training to lasting employment and income security.
System-level solutionsFrom isolated interventions to an integrated employment ecosystem.
Convening, not going aloneBringing employers, financiers, communities and cities together.

Strategic focus

Three focus areas, one outcome.

Each area reinforces the others, so young people don’t just access jobs, they thrive in them.

01

Education

Young people gain relevant skills and guidance that lead straight to employment or viable entrepreneurship, with employers shaping curricula.

Years 1–2 · Foundation
Align curricula to labour market needs; scale career guidance; pilot internships and apprenticeships.
Years 3–4 · Scale
Sector pathways in manufacturing, energy and services; institutionalised internship pipelines.
Year 5 · System influence
A national reference for employability education.
02

Flourishing Community

Young people stay supported, connected and resilient well beyond programme completion through peers, alumni and mentors.

Years 1–2
Launch alumni and peer networks; community programming; role models and entrepreneurship stories.
Years 3–4
Youth-led initiatives, mentorship, access to finance and regional hubs.
Year 5
Self-sustaining alumni who give back as mentors, employers and investors.
03

Good Jobs & Wellbeing

Dignified work in healthy, supportive workplaces, focused on job quality, retention, wellbeing and progression.

Years 1–2
Co-create a “Good Jobs” framework for Uganda; pilot employer engagement; basic wellbeing practices.
Years 3–4
Employer learning communities; city-based initiatives; track retention and progression.
Year 5
A national employer benchmark for good jobs.

The Ignite pathway

A continuous journey, not a one-off programme.

Six connected stages take a young person from early exposure to the world of work to leadership in their community.

Early career exposure & work readiness

Career guidance, mindset and foundational skills in schools and communities.

Demand-driven skills

Training shaped by real employer needs, relevant and employable.

Real-world work experience

Internships, apprenticeships and enterprise support build networks and income.

Employment or enterprise entry

Transition into formal work or launch a viable business, with support.

Retention, wellbeing & progression

Continued engagement after placement to keep jobs and grow careers.

Alumni leadership & reinvestment

Graduates return as mentors, employers, advocates and investors.

Partnerships

Scale comes from working together.

Ignite is a convener, aligning diverse actors around shared employment outcomes rather than duplicating effort.

Employment & industry hosts

Internships, apprenticeships and first jobs.

Madhvani GroupTotalEnergies

Finance & growth capital

Capital and enterprise support for SMEs.

TDBAfreximbank

Community partners

Access to schools and underserved youth.

World VisionHope InternationalRotary International

Policy, platforms & cities

Job fairs, convenings and policy alignment.

KCCAUMA Show Grounds

Media & influence

Shaping aspirations and the narrative on work.

Pakasa (New Vision)

How we support young people

Support at every stage of work and life.

Employability

  • Motivation & confidence
  • CV & interviews
  • Help finding a job
  • Work experience

Capacity-building skills

  • IT skills
  • Training & qualifications
  • Partnerships
  • Business support services

Wellbeing & life skills

  • Relationships & trust
  • Money & debt management
  • Relocation support
  • Retirement planning & savings
  • Estate planning

In-work support

  • Mentoring
  • Confidence building & coaching
  • Keeping a job
  • Excelling at work
  • Career planning

Measuring success

Accountable to a few indicators that matter.

  • Youth accessing sustainable jobs or enterprises
  • Job retention at 6 and 12 months
  • Employer satisfaction and repeat engagement
  • Youth wellbeing and career progression
  • Contribution toward the 1 million youth goal

Help young Ugandans not just find jobs, but thrive in them.

Employers, funders, communities and cities: let’s build the system together.

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