Business 5 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Mobile Money Users Borrow Shs2.75 Trillion in 2025 Amid 80% Surge
Mobile money lending in Uganda exploded by 80 percent in 2025, with users borrowing nearly Shs3 trillion, led by MTN's Shs2.7 trillion in loans. This shift marks telecom platforms as a dominant force in credit access, outpacing traditional banks. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/mobile-money-users-borrowed-nearly-shs3-trillion-in-2025--5448208
Uganda’s mobile money sector hit a milestone in 2025, as subscribers took out loans totaling around Shs2.75 trillion. This massive figure highlights how digital platforms are transforming credit delivery in the country.
MTN Mobile Money led the charge, disbursing Shs2.7 trillion in loans, exceeding its Shs2 trillion target by 35 percent. Airtel Money contributed Shs50.6 billion in loans and advances, pushing the combined total higher.
Borrower numbers jumped 54.5 percent from 2.2 million in 2024 to 3.4 million, while loan issuances skyrocketed 549 percent to 223 million. This shows users are borrowing frequently in small, quick-turnaround amounts, making credit a daily tool rather than a rare event.
In contrast, traditional bank lending grew just 8.8 percent in the first half of 2025, per Bank of Uganda data. Mobile money’s data-driven, instant approvals enable faster scaling than banks’ slower, risk-assessed processes.
Financial inclusion reached 70 percent, fueled by digital payments growth. Telecoms like MTN are prioritizing mobile money, with plans for structural separation to boost fintech expansion.
These loans serve informal sector needs for cash flow and emergencies, complementing banks while blurring market lines at this scale.
Source: Daily Monitor