Kampala, Uganda – Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, the newly appointed Governor of the Bank of Uganda, has urged Airtel Uganda to develop and deploy more digital and financial products for the masses. This challenge came during a courtesy call by the Airtel team, led by Managing Director of Airtel Uganda Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited, Mr. Japhet Aritho.
“We have revised our mission to put more emphasis on the social economic transformation of Uganda beyond the price stability and a sound financial system that we have built,” Dr. Atingi-Ego said. “On this journey, partners like Airtel Money and Airtel Uganda are crucial in delivering the envisioned transformation.”
Dr. Atingi-Ego emphasized the importance of developing responsive internet and mobile money products for the masses. “There is a lot of potential in the SME segment of this economy that is starved of access to the internet, and access to working capital credit facilities,” he said. “I challenge all of you to develop and deploy responsive internet and mobile money products for the masses.”
Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Mr. Soumendra Sahu, congratulated the Governor on his appointment and reiterated the company’s commitment to investing in an agile network that supports the country’s digital and financial transformation agenda.
“We invest ahead of time to ensure that our network and related assets are delivering a brilliant experience for our customers like Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL) and other players in the National Payments Systems sector,” Mr. Sahu said. “They play a critical role in extending financial services to the masses. We look forward to working with all our stakeholders so that we deliver on the country’s sustainable development goals.”
Dr. Atingi-Ego also challenged the Airtel team to scale up consumer protection measures, especially education on digital privacy and cyber security. “Our Micro savings and Micro Insurance partnerships are growing, and we are expanding the reach and depth of these services because of their transformative power in the development of our people,” Mr. Japhet Aritho, Managing Director of Airtel Money, said in response.
The Governor reassured the team that the national switch will be ready and urged the industry to be patient with the Central Bank. As Uganda continues to push for digital and financial transformation, the collaboration between the Bank of Uganda and private sector players like Airtel will be crucial in achieving sustainable development goals.
