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Uganda Fintech Weekly Buzz, Volume 36, September 2026

Daniel Tusiimukye

daniel@fitspa.ug

Sep 25, 2026

Airtel Uganda Rolls Out Starlink Satellite-to-Mobile Service

Airtel Uganda has launched Starlink satellite-to-mobile services, enabling customers with compatible smartphones to stay connected in areas beyond the reach of conventional terrestrial networks. The service uses Starlink’s satellite constellation to support light-data applications such as WhatsApp messaging and SMS, without requiring a satellite dish or specialised equipment. Airtel Uganda is offering eligible customers a free 30-day introductory trial through the MyAirtel App, after which access will be available through eligible data bundles.

Pride Bank, Interswitch Partner to Expand Access to Digital and Agency Banking in Uganda

Pride Bank Limited has partnered with Interswitch Uganda to expand access to digital and agency banking services across Uganda. The partnership combines Pride Bank’s banking services with Interswitch’s payments infrastructure, including Quickteller Agency Banking and the rollout of the Pride Bank Verve Debit Card, giving customers more options to access and manage their money outside traditional branches.

NCBA, MAC East Africa Partner to Finance School Bus Acquisitions

ncba bank uganda has partnered with Mac East Africa Limited to provide financing solutions for schools seeking to acquire buses, helping reduce the upfront capital costs associated with learner transportation. Under the School Bus Financing Partnership, eligible schools can access financing of up to 100% of the cost of a school bus, combining NCBA’s financial services with MAC East Africa’s automotive expertise.

MTN Programme Trains 305 Ugandans in Digital and Financial Skills

A total of 305 people in Kampala have graduated from the sixth phase of the MTN Internet Bus and Financial Literacy Programme. Implemented by the MTN Uganda Foundation in partnership with the Maendeleo Foundation, the latest cohort brings the total number of Ugandans trained through the initiative to more than 6,700, supporting wider digital and financial literacy.

Minister Musasizi Urges Banks to Cut Lending Rates to Support Economic Growth

Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has called on commercial banks to reduce lending rates, which he said are currently averaging between 18% and 20%, and increase financing to productive sectors. Speaking at the 9th Annual Bankers Conference in Kampala hosted by the Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA), he linked affordable, long-term credit to Uganda’s ambition of growing its economy from US$50 billion in FY2025/26 to US$500 billion by 2040. He also urged banks to improve credit assessment, use available data within the law, strengthen risk-sharing mechanisms and increase financing for agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals, oil and gas, and science, technology and innovation.

Airtel Uganda and Buganda Kingdom Renew Partnership to Expand Digital and Community Impact

Airtel Uganda and the Buganda Kingdom have renewed their partnership, extending a collaboration that began in 2018 and covers connectivity, sport, culture and community initiatives. The renewed partnership aims to support young people, promote healthier communities, preserve cultural heritage and expand access to digital and financial services across the Kingdom.

Read More: https://techafricanews.com/2026/09/23/airtel-uganda-buganda-kingdom-renew-partnership-digital-community-impact/

Tanzania Regulator Reveals KCB’s 22.23% Stake in Payments Firm Pesapal

Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission has disclosed that KCB Bank Group is set to acquire a 22.23% stake in Kenyan payments company Pesapal, giving the bank indirect control of Pesapal’s Tanzanian subsidiary. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed and the acquisition remains subject to regulatory review. The deal would expand KCB’s exposure to Pesapal’s merchant payments network across East Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia.

Safaricom Crosses 1 Million Fixed Internet Subscriptions in Kenya

Safaricom PLC has surpassed one million fixed data and home internet subscriptions in Kenya, recording 1,024,950 subscriptions and a 36.1% market share as of June 2026. Kenya’s overall fixed internet market reached 2.84 million subscriptions, with fibre remaining the leading technology while terrestrial wireless and satellite connections also recorded strong year-on-year growth.

How Africa’s AI Boom Is Leaving 100 Million Disabled Citizens Behind

More than 100 million Africans live with disabilities, yet many African languages, accents, environments and local contexts remain poorly represented in global AI systems. The feature highlights the Hub for AI and Disability Inclusion (HAIDI) and the African Disability Data Network (ADDN), which are working to build data infrastructure that can make AI tools more responsive to the needs of people with disabilities across the continent.

Kenya Proposes Up to $1.93m Capital Requirement for Payment Firms

Kenya is proposing new minimum capital requirements of up to KES 250 million ($1.93 million) for payment companies under the National Payment System Bill, 2026. The proposed thresholds range from KES 5 million for basic data services to KES 250 million for electronic money issuers, with existing providers expected to align with the new requirements within one year of enactment. The proposal could increase the capital requirements facing smaller and early-stage fintechs, particularly because borrowed funds and convertible debt would not qualify as core capital.

Africa’s 5G Market Is Set to Nearly Quadruple by 2030. What Will Drive the Growth?

Africa’s 5G market is projected to grow from just under 100 million connections by the end of 2026 to more than 380 million by 2030, according to GSMA Intelligence. As of May 2026, 61 operators across 37 African markets had launched commercial 5G, although adoption remains uneven, with 5G accounting for around 5% of the continent’s mobile connections. The projected growth is expected to come from broader consumer and enterprise adoption, while 4G will continue to serve as the dominant connectivity base.

MoneyHash Partners with Geidea to Expand Payment Capabilities Across UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt

MoneyHash has partnered with geidea to make Geidea’s online payment gateway and supported payment methods available through MoneyHash’s unified payment infrastructure. The integration allows businesses operating in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to access Geidea’s payment capabilities without building a separate connection, helping them manage multiple payment providers and methods through a single integration.

Valu Becomes noon Minutes’ Exclusive Payments Provider in Egypt

Valu and noon Minutes have partnered in Egypt, with Valu becoming noon Minutes’ exclusive financial payments provider and first payment partner. The partnership allows customers to use Valu’s flexible payment solutions for everyday shopping and higher-value purchases, including payment plans of up to 60 months. Valu’s Sparkit service also allows eligible customers to pay for purchases up to 45 days without additional fees.

NuRAN Wireless to Pilot Starlink LEO Backhaul at Rural Site in Nigeria

NuRAN Wireless is piloting licensed STARLINK low Earth orbit satellite service as a potential backhaul solution for a rural telecommunications site in Nigeria. The pilot with Infratel will assess connectivity performance, reliability, integration and cost efficiency, with the technology potentially supporting 4G upgrades and higher-capacity rural connectivity where terrestrial backhaul is constrained, expensive or unavailable.

Ghana’s NCA Hosts Gambia Regulator for Four-Day Communications Benchmarking Visit

Ghana’s National Communications Authority is hosting a delegation from The Gambia’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for a four-day benchmarking visit focused on broadcasting, regulatory operations and institutional cooperation. Running from September 22 to 25, the engagement is designed to exchange regulatory experience and best practices, including consumer protection, legal and regulatory frameworks, quality-of-service standards and dispute resolution.

Senegal Validates National Blueprint to Unlock Value From Data

Senegal’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital has held a national workshop to validate a Blueprint on Data Valorisation aimed at strengthening the economic, social and institutional use of data. Supported by Smart Africa and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the initiative is developing a roadmap for data- and AI-based services, with the broader objective of supporting innovation, public services, competitiveness and inclusive growth under Senegal’s national digital and AI strategies.

Vodacom Tanzania and TBL Partner to Digitally Empower 24,000 Retailers Over Two Years

Vodacom Tanzania Plc and Tanzania Breweries Limited have launched the GRIT programme to strengthen the capabilities of 24,000 small retailers over two years. The initiative combines practical business skills with digital and financial solutions, with Vodacom providing digital tools to help retailers improve transactions, financial management and customer engagement.

BNP Paribas and Google Cloud Partner on Agentic AI for Banking

BNP Paribas Cardif and Google Cloud have entered a five-year partnership focused on developing and deploying agentic AI across the French banking group. The collaboration will explore AI applications across banking operations and customer services, reflecting the growing use of AI agents within financial institutions.

Read More: https://www.thepaypers.com/

Pine Labs Partners with Google Cloud on Agentic Commerce in India

Indian fintech Pine Labs has partnered with Google Cloud to develop agentic commerce capabilities for merchants in India. The collaboration will use Gemini-powered AI agents to support areas including merchant discovery, marketing and commerce, highlighting the growing convergence of payments, fintech and artificial intelligence.

Singapore Fintech iPiD Raises US$16 Million for Global Expansion

Singapore-based payment intelligence company iPiD has raised US$16 million in Series A funding led by Foundation Capital, with strategic investors including Citi and HSBC. The company plans to use the funding to expand its cross-border payments network in the United States and Europe while developing capabilities involving stablecoins and digital assets.

SoFi Launches Stablecoin Settlement for Card Payments on Mastercard

US fintech and bank SoFi has begun settling debit and credit card transactions using its dollar-backed SoFiUSD stablecoin through Mastercard's payment network. The development demonstrates how stablecoins are increasingly being integrated into traditional card-payment infrastructure and banking services.

European Fintechs Face Data Sovereignty Challenges Amid Digital Regulation

European fintechs continue to rely heavily on US-based cloud infrastructure despite the European Union's push for greater digital sovereignty. The issue comes as regulations such as DORA and other EU digital-finance initiatives increasingly shape how financial institutions manage technology, data and operational resilience.

Reap and Visa Expand Stablecoin-Linked Card Programmes to 100+ Markets

Singapore-based fintech Reap and Visa have announced a collaboration to expand stablecoin-linked Visa credit-card programmes to more than 100 markets globally. The initiative extends Reap's stablecoin payment infrastructure across additional regions, including EMEA and Africa, while enabling stablecoin settlement of payment obligations with Visa in Asia Pacific.