Centenary Group, Service Cops sign digital financial solutions partnership
Prof. John Ddumba Sentamu Centenary Group Board chairman said for 43 years, the Centenary brand has stood for social mission, community transformation and sustainable economic empowerment, and as it expands across banking, investment, property management and soon unit trust and insurance, the responsibility is going to deepen.
(L-R) Joseph Kiiza the Group Executive Chairman at Service Cops Limited, Dr. Grace Ssekakubo the Chief Executive Officer Service Cops, Peter Kahiigi the chief technology officer at Service Cops Joseph Balikuddembe Executive Director Centenary bank, Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Chairman Board of Directors, Centenary Bank Ltd and Fabian Kasi, the Chief Executive Officer Centenary bank. This was during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding as the two organisations formalize a strategic business and technology partnership. This was at Centenary bank head office Mapeera house Kampala on December 11, 2025. (Credit: Lawrence Mulondo)
KAMPALA - Centenary Group, through its technology company – Centenary Technology Services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Service Cops, formalising a strategic technology and business partnership.
Service Cops is a Pan African Technology innovations and outsourcing solutions firm that specialises in developing proprietary digital financial solutions, bespoke enterprise platforms and business outsourcing solutions for African markets and beyond.
According to a recently issued press statement, the partnership, coordinated at Group level through Centenary Technology Services (Cente-Tech), brings together Centenary Group’s 43-year legacy of social-impact financial inclusion and Service Cops’ 16 years of expertise in enterprise technology, digital integrations and large-scale systems deployment.
“This partnership is aimed at accelerating digital transformation, deepening financial inclusion, and expanding access to modern digital services across Uganda and the wider African region,” said Fabian Kasi, the Centenary Bank’s managing director.
This was during the penning of the MOU at Centenary Bank’s Headquarters at Mapera House in Kampala recently.
He added that the partnership reflects a broader continental and global shift toward purposeful digital development.
“It brings together two African companies choosing collaboration over competition and intentionally strengthening African capability rather than importing solutions. This approach aligns with the UNDP Digital Strategy (2022–2025), which highlights digital as an empowering force for people and planet and calls for inclusive, rights-based, well-designed digital ecosystems that leave no one behind,” noted Kasi.
Prof. John Ddumba Sentamu Centenary Group Board chairman said for 43 years, the Centenary brand has stood for social mission, community transformation and sustainable economic empowerment, and as it expands across banking, investment, property management and soon unit trust and insurance, the responsibility is going to deepen.
“This partnership is an important step in that direction as it provides the technological collaboration on which we can build more relevant, seamless and inclusive services for millions across Uganda and the broader region,” he said.
Kasi further described the partnership as a pivotal moment not only for the bank but for Uganda’s broader digital and financial ecosystem.
Joseph Ndiho Kizza, the Executive Chairman of Service Cops, emphasised that the collaboration represents a new chapter in African-led technological innovation.
“Our partnership with Centenary Group reflects a shared belief that African challenges are best solved through African-built digital solutions. By combining our technology capabilities with the Group’s deep digital inclusion expertise, we are laying a foundation for scalable, secure and transformative digital services across the continent,” he said.
Dr Grace Ssekakubo, the CEO of Cente Tech described the partnership as a powerful alignment of two institutions that share a common purpose of expanding access to digital services and bringing inclusion to every corner of our communities.
“Through this partnership, we will co-develop and commercialise digital solutions in education, healthcare, insurance, and financial services, and extend them to the last mile. The impact will be felt in everyday life: students learning digitally, farmers accessing financial services and insurance on mobile, families engaging with health and financial ecosystems with unprecedented ease,” he said.
Centenary Bank has continued to play a leading role in bridging these gaps. Its extensive network of close to 9,000 agents surpasses the reach of traditional bank branches, while digital platforms such as CenteMobile enable millions of customers to transact anywhere, anytime.
Beatrice Lugalambi, Centenary Bank’s General Manager Corporate Communications and Marketing, said that by leveraging Service Cops’ experience in large-scale public and enterprise systems, the bank will also be better positioned to serve rural and underserved communities.
According to the 2024 FinScope Survey, Uganda’s financial inclusion has grown from 77% in 2018 to 81% in 2024, yet barriers such as rural infrastructure gaps, low digital literacy and gender disparities remain.