Bridging the Talent Gap: FITSPA's Inaugural Fintech Career Fair unveils Pathways for Young Talent at Makerere University

Last Friday, March 28th, 2025, FITSPA, under its Youth Initiative, successfully hosted its inaugural Fintech Career Fair at Makerere University, living up to its theme: "Pathways for Young Talent." The event, held at the Makerere University College of Computing & Information Science (MaK CoCIS) was a strategic intervention designed to bridge the critical talent gap that has been identified as a major impediment to the sector's growth.

As highlighted in FITSPA's "State of Uganda’s Fintech Industry Report," a staggering 22% of fintech companies struggle to find the right local talent. This stark reality, juxtaposed with the over 700,000 graduates Uganda produces annually, underscores a significant mismatch between academic output and industry demands. FITSPA's career fair directly addressed this challenge, offering a platform for students and fresh graduates to gain invaluable insights into the dynamic world of fintech.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Moses Ntanda, in charge of Internships at Makerere University, Mr. Dr.Joseph Kibombo Balikuddembe, the Dean, Makerere University School of Computing and Informatics Technology, and Ms. Doreen Nakibombo, Programs, Activities, and Communications executive at FITSPA, setting the stage for a day of knowledge sharing and networking. The presentations that followed were meticulously curated to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the fintech landscape.

Mr. George Ssenkungu, Country Manager at PawaPay, shed light on the intricacies of the payments sector. He emphasized the importance of seamless mobile money interoperability across Africa, highlighting pawaPay's mission to connect every mobile money wallet on the continent to each other and the global financial system. He discussed the technical challenges and regulatory hurdles involved in achieving this vision, and the immense opportunities that lay in simplifying cross-border transactions for millions of users.

Ms. Flavia Eleanor, COO and General Manager for Compliance at Ezeemoney UG, delivered a compelling keynote address that served as a crucial introduction to the multifaceted world of fintech. She provided a comprehensive overview of the diverse categories and sectors within the fintech industry, demystifying complex concepts for the student audience. Flavia expertly outlined the essential skills required to thrive in this dynamic field, emphasizing the growing demand for expertise in areas such as data analysis, cybersecurity, and user experience design. Furthermore, she illuminated the vast array of existing career opportunities within fintech, inspiring attendees to envision their potential roles in shaping the future of financial services. Her presentation was not simply informative, but a call to action, encouraging the students to embrace the possibilities that the fintech sector offers.

Beyond industry-specific insights, the career fair also focused on equipping attendees with essential professional skills. Ms. Fiona Kirabo, People Operations Lead at alx_africa, delivered a dynamic presentation on "The Digital Skills That Will Make You Irreplaceable." She emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly changing technological environment, highlighting the edge that digital skills offer. Beyond outlining the essential skills, Ms. Kirabo also provided invaluable practical resources. She shared details about the free courses and learning pathways available on alx Africa's platform, specifically tailored to equip students with the necessary tools for launching successful fintech careers and entrepreneurial ventures.

Ms. Alice Namuli Blazevic, Partner and Head of Technology and Innovations at KATS - Katende Ssempebwa and Co. Advocates provided critical insights into "Positioning Oneself for Work Opportunities." As a lawyer specializing in technology, she offered unique perspectives on the legal and regulatory aspects of fintech, including data protection, cyberlaw, and the implications of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. She stressed the importance of understanding oneself, one’s background, character strengths and weaknesses, and how they can be leveraged for those seeking careers in fintech.

The event also featured a testimonial from Britney Juuko, an intern at FITSPA on her experience. Britney shared her transition journey from university life to securing a professional role, highlighting the challenges of job searching and the transformative power of networking and internships as well as voluntary work. Her experience provided tangible, relatable experience for the students and evidence of the impact of the FITSPA Youth Initiative.

Recognizing the critical role a compelling resume and good presentation plays in securing employment, FITSPA partnered with BrighterMonday Uganda, a leading career development and recruitment solutions company, to empower students with personalized, expert guidance through a Resume Clinic. The BrighterMonday team, led by Ms. Gladys Rwabuhemba, PR and Communications Lead, conducted the clinic, offering one-on-one feedback on students' resumes and interview preparation tips. This direct interaction ensured that participants received tailored advice on how to strategically present their qualifications to align with industry expectations, ultimately making their resumes stand out in the competitive fintech job market.

The career fair's success was marked by immediate, tangible outcomes: enhanced career awareness among students, improved employability through direct exposure to industry expectations, and invaluable networking opportunities.

This inaugural event at Makerere University served as a powerful catalyst, not only effectively bridging the talent gap but also forging stronger ties between academia and industry. Looking ahead, FITSPA's long-term strategic initiatives—including internship and graduate placement programs, targeted fintech capacity-building, and curriculum integration—promise to cultivate a sustainable, robust talent pipeline and lay the foundation for a more innovative fintech ecosystem in Uganda.