As leaders from across sectors converge at the 2025 Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation Summit in Kampala, one undeniable force takes centre stage: the transformative power of digital inclusion, particularly through mobile money.
The summit, officially opened today at Kampala Serena Hotel by Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, couldn’t be more timely, aligning perfectly with Uganda’s national aspirations to harness digital transformation for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
“Globally, every facet of social, economic, and political life is increasingly shaped by the digital sphere and driven by ICT,” Nabbanja stated, emphasising the government’s prioritisation of digital transformation as a core pillar for national progress.
“This Summit offers a valuable platform for learning, collaboration, and networking around emerging technologies,” she added.
She highlighted that Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap (2023/24-2027/28) focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting e-services, fostering cybersecurity, empowering digital skills, and encouraging innovation, which are all critical for unlocking the nation’s full potential.
MTN MoMo: Unsung Hero of Uganda’s Economic Surge
Richard Yego, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN MoMo, noted that at the heart of this digital revolution, which is transforming lives and livelihoods, is MTN MoMo.
Yego, who was part of the panel discussing Financial Inclusion for Underserved Communities, revealed the profound impact of the mobile money platform on Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
“We’ve built a seamless, interoperable platform that connects mobile money accounts to wallets, making it just as easy and affordable to send money across borders as it is locally,” Yego asserted.
“From empowering farmers to supporting daily transactions, our solutions are designed to meet everyday needs,” he added.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
To emphasise his remarks to the panel, Yego divulged the statistics below as evidence of MTN MoMo’s impact in Uganda;
13 million+ Customers
Yego pointed out that over 13 million Ugandans are actively using MTN MoMo, experiencing seamless onboarding, enhanced customer journeys, and faster services.
200,000+ Agents
He also revealed MTN MoMo has a vast network of over 200,000 trained agents countrywide who ensure accessibility even in the most remote areas. This extensive reach, he noted, isn’t only creating jobs but is also crucial in a country where traditional banking infrastructure is limited, especially in rural settings.
Growing Smartphone Access
He observed that with smartphone penetration currently around 45% and growing, MTN MoMo is strategically focused on bridging the digital divide, reaching everyone, including farmers in rural areas, through initiatives like smartphone financing.
Driving Inclusive Solutions for the Unbanked
Yego’s insights came during a discussion that delved into how innovations such as Digital Public Goods (DPGs), Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and automation technologies are driving scalable, inclusive solutions for unbanked and underserved populations across the Middle East and Africa.
He pointed out that Uganda is actively engaged in building its DPI, including its National Identity system (being developed as a DPG) and leveraging data exchange platforms like UG-Hub for programs like the Parish Development Model.
Socio-economic Transformation
As rightly highlighted by Yego, MTN MoMo’s role is critical for socio-economic transformation, and as such, mobile money consumption has dramatically expanded financial inclusion in Uganda, empowering millions who were previously excluded from formal banking systems. MTN MoMo is driving socio-economic transformation through the following ways;
Fueling Local Economies
Yego explained that by facilitating easy and affordable transactions, MTN MoMo injects liquidity into local economies.
Through MTN MoMo, for instance, farmers can receive payments for their produce instantly, small business owners can manage their finances digitally, and families can send and receive remittances, reducing the risks and costs associated with cash.
He stated that with the advent of MTN MoMo, the value of mobile money transactions in Uganda reached approximately 94% of the country’s GDP in 2021, highlighting its immense contribution.
Empowering Entrepreneurs
He pointed out that access to digital payments and microloans through platforms like MoMo is empowering micro and small enterprises to expand, manage cash flow more effectively, and access new markets, fostering entrepreneurial activity.
Reducing Poverty
Studies across various African markets have shown that mobile money can lead to poverty reduction, higher employment, and contribute significantly to GDP growth by reducing transaction costs and helping households manage financial shocks; that’s what MTN MoMo is doing.
Supporting Government Initiatives
Mobile money platforms are increasingly integrated with government services, facilitating the efficient disbursement of funds (e.g., social welfare payments) and collection of taxes, thereby improving public service delivery and revenue mobilisation, as seen with initiatives like Uganda Revenue Authority’s digital tax systems.
As the Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation Summit continues, MTN MoMo stands as a shining example of how private sector innovation, coupled with a commitment to digital inclusion, can profoundly impact a nation’s economic growth trajectory.
https://momo.mtn.com/home-page/By empowering millions with accessible, reliable, and affordable financial services, MTN MoMo is not just transforming lives but fundamentally reshaping Uganda’s socio-economic landscape, one digital transaction at a time.