KAMPALA, UGANDA — Airtel Uganda, in partnership with FINCA Uganda, launched a new loan product Wednesday called Easy Float, designed to provide its agents with quick and flexible access to working capital. The service allows agents to instantly top up their float, ensuring uninterrupted mobile money services for customers.
The launch event at Fairway Hotel marked a step in strengthening Uganda’s digital financial ecosystem and enhancing financial inclusion.
Japheth Aritho, managing director of Airtel Money Uganda, said Easy Float directly addresses the critical challenge of float liquidity that many agents face.
“Some of us have approached agents for transactions only to be told they’ve run out of float. That has now ended,” Aritho explained. He noted that if an agent is short by 5,000 Ugandan shillings on a transaction, they can instantly access a top-up loan to complete the deposit quickly.
Aritho added that the innovation will allow Airtel Money’s network of more than 324,000 agents, many of whom are young entrepreneurs, to expand their operations, increase earnings and contribute to the growth of Uganda’s economy.
Robert Kakande, executive director for FINCA Uganda, applauded the collaboration, noting that the initiative aligns with FINCA’s mission to advance financial inclusion.
“By providing essential working capital through the Easy Float platform, we are empowering thousands of micro-entrepreneurs to sustain their businesses, better serve their communities, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth,” Kakande said.
Kakande added that loan repayment is flexible and is automatically deducted from the agent’s monthly commissions, making the service convenient and manageable.
The innovation comes at a time when agents frequently run out of float due to high customer demand, disrupting service delivery. According to the Bank of Uganda, the country’s mobile money market is valued at $133 billion and is projected to grow to $1.15 trillion by 2033, underscoring the importance of such financial innovations.
