Uganda’s 34.6 million mobile wallet users power growth in online betting
Mobile money adoption in Uganda supports rapid expansion in digital betting, reshaping the country’s online gaming landscape in 2026.
Uganda.- Uganda is being transformed by mobile money in 2026, building on 2025’s surge of 34.6 million active accounts and UGX253.7trn (€59.6m) in transactions. The widespread adoption of mobile wallets is supporting rapid growth in digital betting, making online gaming more accessible and inclusive across urban and rural communities.
Mobile money has become the backbone of financial transactions in Uganda. Platforms like MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money, alongside new licensed fintech providers such as NALA, Wave and Chipper Cash, allow users to deposit and withdraw funds instantly, removing barriers for participation in online betting.
Significant regulatory milestones have reinforced this trend. NALA recently secured Payment Service Provider (PSP) and Payment System Operator (PSO) licences from the Bank of Uganda, adding to its existing 2024 money remittance licence, according to an Ecofin Agency report. “NALA has secured PSP and PSO licenses from the Bank of Uganda, adding to its 2024 Money Remittance licence,” said the report.
Fintech drives online betting growth
This licensing positions NALA to expand regulated payment services, including cross-border transactions and business pay-outs, complementing Uganda’s existing mobile money ecosystem and providing more options for consumers. Analysts say these developments reflect growing regulatory confidence in fintech innovation and a more competitive payments market, according to Sunrise Uganda.
For Uganda’s online betting sector, mobile wallets are a critical enabler, allowing users to fund accounts quickly and securely without a bank. Uganda Industry reports indicate that mobile money is helping drive growth in digital gaming and sports betting platforms.
As the fintech sector matures, mobile wallets are no longer just tools for sending money – they have become core infrastructure powering digital entertainment, commerce and financial inclusion across Uganda in 2026 and beyond.
