Interswitch, partners move to enhance digital connectivity
Speaking during the sealing of the deal in Kampala this week, Yusuf Lule, Country Head of Finance and supply chain at Interswitch Uganda, noted that they are seeking to make accessible digital payment and financial solutions that meet the everyday needs of Ugandans.
(L-R) Yusuf Lule of Interswitch and Otaremwa Otuhumurize CEO Hamilton Telecom.
KAMPALA - Industry players say strategic partnerships could go a long way in improving Uganda’s quest for digital connectivity and boosting financial inclusion across the country.
They observe that collaborations could support Uganda's ongoing digital transformation journey, where telecommunications and financial technology companies are increasingly working together to improve service accessibility and customer experience.
This comes as efforts aimed at expanding access to digital communication services witnessed Interswitch Uganda and Hamilton Telecom enter into a partnership that will enable customers to purchase Paxtel airtime and data bundles through the extensive Quickteller Agent Network across the country.
The collaboration is also expected to enhance convenience for customers while strengthening the distribution of telecommunications services, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas where access to digital services remains limited.
“By integrating Paxtel services onto the Quickteller platform, we are extending the reach of essential telecommunications services through our extensive agent network and making it easier for more customers to stay connected wherever they are," Yusuf stated.
Expanding access through established networks
Under the partnership, Paxtel customers will be able to purchase airtime and internet data bundles through Quickteller agents located across various regions of Uganda.
The arrangement leverages Interswitch Uganda's established agent network infrastructure, enabling Hamilton Telecom to extend its market reach without the need for significant additional investment in physical distribution channels.
For customers, the partnership provides greater convenience by bringing essential telecommunications services closer to communities and reducing barriers to connectivity.
Otaremwa Otuhumurize, the Hamilton CEO highlighted that the partnership represents an important milestone in enhancing accessibility and convenience for Paxtel customers across Uganda.
“By leveraging Quickteller’s extensive agent network, we are bringing telecom and digital services closer to communities while strengthening our mission of driving affordable connectivity, financial inclusion, and ecosystem digitization. We believe this collaboration will significantly accelerate access to Paxtel products and improve customer experience nationwide.”
Driving financial and digital inclusion
Experts note that agent networks have become critical components of Uganda's digital economy, serving as access points for financial and telecommunications services in areas where formal service infrastructure may be limited.
By integrating airtime and data services into agent networks, providers can reach a broader customer base while supporting national efforts to promote digital inclusion.
The partnership also reflects the growing convergence between financial technology and telecommunications sectors, where integrated service delivery models are helping expand access to digital products and services.
Uganda's digital economy continues to expand, driven by increasing mobile phone penetration, internet adoption, and demand for digital financial services.
Partnerships that improve service accessibility are increasingly being viewed as key enablers of economic growth, particularly as businesses and consumers rely more heavily on digital platforms for communication, commerce, and financial transactions.