Uganda seeks to improve ICT ties with Iran

TEHRAN – Uganda has shown interest in boosting cooperation with Iran in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT), seeking Iranian expertise to develop human resources.

Uganda’s Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Isanga Nakadama has requested Iran’s assistance to help train ICT graduates in Uganda and expand their practical skills, IRIB reported.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian ICT Minister Issa Zarepour in Tehran on Thursday.

Zarepour, for his part, highlighted that Iranian technical and engineering companies have already carried out major infrastructure projects in African and non-African countries, adding that the country is willing to carry out similar ICT projects in Uganda.

Furthermore, Iranian companies are willing to transfer experience to their Ugandan counterparts, invest in ICT and meet their ICT needs, he noted.

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening ICT cooperation between the two countries, he presented Iran’s experience in infrastructure development, including postal, space technology and e-government.

The official said an Iranian delegation is scheduled to visit Uganda next week.

Among the main issues are the follow-up to the bilateral agreement reached during President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Uganda for the provision of technical and engineering services to expand the fourth and fifth generation of mobile phone technologies, and the introduction of capable Iranian companies to implement ICT projects. discussed during the meeting.

Among other points discussed, support for the promotion of telecommunications and communication technologies and the carrying out of the necessary research to create platforms to realize the digital economy were discussed.

Iran plans to strengthen African ties

On April 30, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated that Iran is determined to strengthen and expand its relations with African nations on the basis of mutual interest and respect.

The top diplomat made these statements during a meeting with the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises of Central Africa. During the meeting, Amir Abdollahian highlighted the importance of expanding relations with the African continent as a key priority of Iran’s foreign policy.

The official expressed Iran’s willingness to improve bilateral cooperation with Central Africa, especially in areas such as agriculture, science, technology and education.

Ngate Robard, for his part, praised Iran for hosting the second Iran-Africa Summit and Expo Tehran 2024, emphasizing the importance of these events.

The Central African Minister also praised Iran’s progress in various scientific, technological and industrial sectors, while acknowledging the warm hospitality provided during his visit.

Iran has been seeking to strengthen ties with African nations since President Raisi’s administration took office. Raisi visited Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe last year and signed several documents to intensify bilateral cooperation in different fields.

During a meeting in Tehran on May 1, Zarepour and Tanzania’s Trade and Industrial Development Minister Omar Said Shaaban agreed to develop cooperation in areas related to information and communications technologies, IRNA reported.

Praising the expertise of Iranian companies in the field of information and communications technologies, Said Shaaban expressed optimism that Tanzania would benefit from the capabilities of Iranian companies to develop ties between the two countries.

Zarepour, for his part, referred to Iran’s strategy to improve relations with African countries, especially Tanzania, announcing Iran’s willingness to take measures in this regard.

State of ICT in Iran

The Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies is the highest authority on ICT in the country. All activities related to the information and communications technology industry are directly related to the ministry.

According to Zarepour, the government pays special attention to plans and policies in this sector in order to maximize the use of ICT to make people’s lives easier.

The successful design, construction and launch of a satellite shows the growth of a country’s national technology and scientific power.

MT/MG