In a significant move to bridge the financial divide, Airtel Money Uganda has partnered with fintech firm Juba Express to launch a new cross-border payment solution that allows Ugandans to send money to over 100 countries without requiring an internet connection.
The service, which went live on December 2, 2025, utilizes USSD technology, meaning customers can initiate global transfers using a basic feature phone. By dialing 18514#*, users can access the service without data bundles or airtime, a feature designed to bypass the connectivity barriers that often hinder financial inclusion in the region.
The partnership targets the millions of individuals and small businesses that rely on remittances but lack access to smartphones or reliable internet. The service covers major regional corridors, including Kenya, facilitating trade and family support networks between the neighboring nations.
“Through our partnership with Juba Express, we are taking Airtel Money beyond our borders, making international transfers faster, safer, and more affordable for our customers,” said Japhet Aritho, Director of Airtel Money.
Unlike many remittance platforms that rely on third-party aggregators, Juba Express operates on a proprietary infrastructure with its own last-mile networks in destination countries. According to the company, this structure allows them to maintain direct control over transaction security and costs, delivering better efficiency and transparency.
The solution offers multiple withdrawal options at the receiving end, including mobile money wallets, bank transfers, and cash pick-up locations.
Sitati Dawo, Innovations and Markets Lead at Juba Express, emphasized that the product was engineered to address real-world challenges.
“As technology becomes more complex, we believe in returning to the essence of true innovation—making life easier for people,” said Dawo. “With USSD technology, anyone with a basic phone can now access secure, affordable, and instant international transfers… democratizing access as well as empowering families, traders, and communities across Uganda and beyond.”
The launch places Uganda at the forefront of the fintech innovation landscape in East Africa, showcasing a homegrown use case for USSD technology in an era often dominated by app-based solutions.
Hassan Abdalla, Country Director for Juba Express, termed the partnership a “major leap forward for financial inclusion and customer-centric product development.”
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