Interswitch Partners with Uganda’s NSSF to Enhance Social Security Coverage

In a significant move towards expanding social security coverage and driving financial inclusion, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Uganda has announced a partnership with Interswitch Group, a leading African digital payment and e-commerce firm. This collaboration aims to leverage Interswitch’s Quickteller platform to extend essential social security services to more Ugandans.

 

The NSSF, mandated by the Ugandan government, manages assets worth over UGX 25 trillion, providing crucial social security services to eligible employees across the nation. The partnership is set to onboard over 100,000 new voluntary savers to the Fund’s SmartLife Flexi product through Interswitch’s extensive network of 20,000 Quickteller agents nationwide.

 

The SmartLife Flexi is designed as a flexible savings plan, allowing Ugandans to choose their saving periods and frequencies, while earning competitive returns accrued daily. NSSF Managing Director Patrick Ayota emphasized that the partnership aims to accelerate the Fund’s mission of expanding social security coverage in both formal and informal sectors, with a goal to reach **50% of Uganda’s workforce** by 2035—equating to over 15 million people.

 

“Previous partnerships with telecom companies and banks have made our services accessible online and via USSD. However, many people still prefer in-person assistance,” Ayota stated. He highlighted that Quickteller agents will bridge this gap, providing necessary access to the informal economy.

 

The partnership comes at a time when the need for simplified financial services is critical, especially amid rising cash circulation in Uganda, which increased by **9%** in the past fiscal year according to the Bank of Uganda.

 

“The collaboration will make it easier for our members to enroll in SmartLife Flexi and contribute to their savings using trusted digital payment channels like Quickteller,” Ayota explained. Customers can now register for SmartLife Flexi free of charge at Quickteller agents, with a minimum initial deposit set at **UGX 10,000**.

 

In addition to facilitating individual contributions, the Quickteller network will allow employers to remit mandatory contributions efficiently.

 

Moris Seguya, Country General Manager for Interswitch, highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership in furthering financial inclusion efforts in Uganda. “With a significant portion of Uganda’s workforce employed in the informal sector, our collaboration with NSSF ensures easy access to savings and financial services for everyone,” he stated.

 

Flavia Namutamba, a Quickteller agent in Kampala, reiterated the importance of this partnership, noting that it helps those without easy access to formal banking services become part of a modern financial ecosystem. “We bridge a gap by allowing customers to register and send money to their NSSF accounts conveniently,” she said.

 

This partnership marks another step in Interswitch’s ongoing efforts to create value within the social sector across Africa. Interswitch’s technology-driven approach continues to transform payment solutions, expanding beyond Nigeria and establishing a significant presence in the East African market.

 

Founded in Nigeria in 2002, Interswitch has evolved into a key player in the digital payment landscape, consistently focused on making financial services accessible and seamless for millions across the continent. With the NSSF partnership,