MTN Mobile Money Uganda is exploring partnerships with the Government to expand digital financial services across Uganda’s industrial parks, with plans to promote cashless payments among businesses, farmers, transport operators and other players in the economy.

The proposed collaboration was discussed during a meeting between the State Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Aminah Mukalazi, and a delegation from MTN Mobile Money Uganda led by its General Manager, Phrase Lubega.

During the meeting, MTN Mobile Money General Manager for Regional Operations, Keith Tukei, expressed the company's willingness to support the digitisation of industrial parks through digital financial solutions.

Tukei highlighted MTN Mobile Money’s existing partnership with Kiira Motors, where the company provides cashless payment services for electric buses (e-buses). He expressed interest in extending similar arrangements to industrial parks and other investment sectors, including artisan activities, agro-industrialisation and mineral extraction.

The proposed partnerships would also involve merchant lending services and other digital financial solutions aimed at supporting businesses and improving access to financial services.

MTN Mobile Money Enterprise Segment Manager, Justine Icabala Ziruba, informed the Minister that the company had already visited several industrial parks to promote the adoption of a cashless economy.

She explained that the proposed support would include providing affordable gadgets and SIM cards, with businesses allowed to pay in manageable instalments. The devices would come with cashless payment applications pre-installed to make it easier for businesses to adopt digital transactions.

According to Ziruba, the initiative would improve security by reducing the need for business operators and their customers to carry physical cash.

She also highlighted some of MTN Mobile Money's services, including free withdrawal charges for transactions of UGX 300,000 and below, as well as bulk payment services that operate across different mobile money networks.

Minister Mukalazi welcomed the engagement and commended MTN Mobile Money for its contribution to digital financial services and the public trust it has built.

She recognised the company's partnership with Kiira Motors in facilitating cashless payments for electric buses, alongside initiatives such as Code Yo and Mali Yo, which target boda boda riders.

The Minister encouraged MTN Mobile Money to extend similar digital financial solutions to taxi operators and other players in the transport sector to promote wider adoption of cashless transactions.

However, Mukalazi emphasised the importance of building public confidence in digital financial services, particularly within the agricultural sector, markets and among market vendors, where cash remains an important means of conducting business.

In response, the MTN delegation explained that the company was already engaging these groups to understand their specific financial needs and develop suitable solutions.

The Minister also encouraged MTN Mobile Money to bring farmers' cooperatives on board, noting that this could help reduce delays in processing farmers' financial needs and improve their access to financial services.

She further appreciated the company's provision for reversing erroneous mobile money transactions, describing such safeguards as important in strengthening customer confidence in digital financial services.

The discussions highlighted opportunities for greater collaboration between Government and the private sector in expanding digital payments, improving financial accessibility and supporting businesses across Uganda's productive sectors.

If pursued, the proposed partnerships could extend cashless payment solutions to more enterprises, farmers and transport operators while supporting the country's broader efforts to advance digital transformation and financial inclusion.