Back to articles
Uganda Fintech Weekly Buzz, Volume 9 (1 - 6 March 2026)
This week, we highlight the latest developments in Uganda's digital credit, microfinance, banking, fintech, and financial inclusion, alongside selected continental trends shaping Africa’s and the global fintech landscape.
Key stories this week reflect momentum in SME and agri-business financing, banks deepening digital credit, education finance, and inclusion-led products. We also track leadership shifts in banking, policy and regulatory conversations around AI, digital taxation, and compliance, as well as growing investment interest in fintech infrastructure across Africa and global markets.
Exim Bank Launches Vehicle and Asset Financing Facility
Exim Bank Uganda has launched a Vehicle and Asset Financing Facility to help businesses and individuals acquire vehicles, machinery, and productive assets. Sandra Kaggwa, Manager for Vehicle and Asset Financing, highlighted competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and faster approvals, enabling clients to scale operations, improve productivity, and create jobs. The facility targets SMEs, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals, supporting Uganda’s private sector growth.
dfcu Bank Hosts Dutch Delegation to Strengthen Trade Links
dfcu Bank hosted the Netherlands–Uganda Trade and Investment Platform (NUTIP), the Dutch Embassy, and Rabobank to explore bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The engagement, themed “Building the Future of Trade, Together,” brought together government, financial, and private sector leaders to discuss practical strategies for expanding trade, investment, and agricultural development between Uganda and the Netherlands.
Stanbic Bancassurance Leadership Praised for Financial Inclusion
The Insurance Regulatory Authority’s CEO, Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi, commended Stanbic Bank Uganda for pioneering bancassurance, integrating insurance products into mainstream banking. The approach has expanded insurance access, strengthened Uganda’s financial ecosystem, and contributed to inclusive socio-economic development.
SMEs Rely on Money Lenders Amid Slow Bank Credit, Says Walugembe
John Walugembe, Executive Director of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, noted that SMEs often turn to costly money lenders due to stringent bank requirements and slow approval processes. He emphasised that addressing supply-side barriers, not just improving bookkeeping, is key to closing Uganda’s SME financing gap.
High Internet Costs Hinder Ugandan Businesses, Warns Kwesiga
Ronald Kwesiga, VP of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for policies to lower internet costs and protect local businesses. He stressed that affordable connectivity is now essential for marketing, communication, financial transactions, and overall business growth, especially for SMEs.
Read More: https://nilepost.co.ug/business/325019/high-internet-costs-hurting-ugandan-businesses-kwesiga-warns
Uganda Launches First Sharia-Compliant Insurance Provider
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni inaugurated Tamini General Insurance, Uganda’s first Islamic insurance provider. The launch complements Salaam Bank and completes a new Islamic finance ecosystem, promoting ethical, production-focused growth and expanding financial inclusion in the country.
URA Self-Declaration System Limits Digital Tax Revenue
The Auditor General reported that Uganda Revenue Authority’s reliance on self-reported taxes from nonresident digital service providers risks under-reporting and revenue leakage. The planned Single National Payment Gateway is expected to provide real-time access to transactions, enabling verification and improving compliance.
MARU Credit and Enterprise Uganda Train SMEs for Growth
MARU Credit, in partnership with Enterprise Uganda, concluded a three-day SME training program covering financial management, governance, credit readiness, taxation, HR, and customer retention. The practical sessions equip entrepreneurs with skills to run profitable, sustainable businesses.
Read More: https://nilepost.co.ug/business/323804/maru-credit-enterprise-uganda-train-smes-for-business-growth
Visa Pay Promises More Payment Innovations in Uganda
Visa announced Visa Pay, a digital payment solution enabling users to send and receive money via virtual cards for online transactions. Sullivan Godfrey, Senior VP for CEMEA, highlighted Uganda’s market potential and the company’s commitment to secure, trusted, and convenient digital payments.
MTN MoMo Expands Interoperability Across Africa
MTN’s MoMo platform is rapidly expanding wallet-to-wallet, wallet-to-bank, and cross-border interoperability across 14 African markets. The initiative connects consumers, banks, merchants, and partners, creating a wider financial ecosystem that enables seamless everyday transactions.
Safaricom and Huawei Win GSMA GLOMO Award for Ziidi Platform
During MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Safaricom and Huawei won the GSMA GLOMO “Best FinTech & Digital Commerce Innovation” Award for the Ziidi Wealth platform. Ziidi provides low-threshold, real-time digital investment solutions, improving financial inclusion for low- and middle-income users in Kenya.
Read More: https://www.huawei.com/en/news/2026/3/mwc-glomo-commerce
African Tech Startups Raised $3.42 Billion in 2025
Africa’s tech ecosystem had a record year in 2025, raising $3.42 billion across startups. The funding surge underscores growing investor confidence, robust innovation, and a maturing entrepreneurial ecosystem driving digital transformation across the continent.
Read More: https://insights.techcabal.com/after-a-3-4b-year-in-funding-how-did-africas-tech-scene-start-2026/
Nedbank Partners with Crypto.com to Drive Blockchain Fintech in Africa
Nedbank and Crypto.com are collaborating to deliver blockchain-based payment, settlement, and liquidity solutions. The partnership enables real-time ZAR–USDC conversions, low-cost cross-border transactions, and seamless integration with traditional banking, aiming to future-proof Africa’s digital finance ecosystem.
