Interswitch, NSSF Uganda Partner to Expand Social Security Access Through Quickteller Network

Interswitch, NSSF Uganda Partner to Expand Social Security Access Through Quickteller Network

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Uganda has entered into a strategic partnership with Interswitch Group, a leading African digital payments and e-commerce company, to broaden access to social security services across the country. The collaboration will enable Ugandans to register and contribute to the Fund’s SmartLife Flexi product through Quickteller — Interswitch’s nationwide agent banking and financial services platform.

NSSF Uganda, a multi-trillion-shilling fund regulated by the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority, manages assets exceeding UGX 25 trillion, invested across fixed income, equities, and real estate in East Africa. The agency is mandated to provide social security services to all eligible employees, with oversight from the Minister of Gender, Labour & Social Development and the Minister of Finance, Planning & Economic Development.

The partnership, launched in Kampala, is expected to onboard more than 100,000 new voluntary savers into SmartLife Flexi through over 20,000 Quickteller agents spread nationwide.

SmartLife Flexi offers a flexible savings plan that allows members to set personal goals, determine contribution levels, and earn competitive monthly returns accrued daily.

Speaking at the ceremony, NSSF Managing Director Patrick Ayota said the partnership aligns with the Fund’s long-term strategy to expand coverage in both formal and informal sectors.

“One of the key pillars of our new 10-year strategic direction is to increase national social security coverage to 50% of Uganda’s workforce by 2035, representing over 15 million people,” Ayota said.

He noted that while digital channels exist through telecoms and commercial banks, many Ugandans still prefer physical interaction.

“Quickteller agents are the bridge to the informal economy,” he added, emphasizing the partnership’s role in simplifying contributions amid Uganda’s predominantly cash-driven culture.

According to a June 2025 report by the Bank of Uganda, the value of cash in circulation rose from UGX 8.21 trillion in FY 2023/24 to UGX 8.98 trillion by June 2025 — a 9% increase, even as digital payments continued to grow.

Ayota also announced that SmartLife Flexi registration at Quickteller outlets is free, with a minimum initial deposit of UGX 10,000, and employers can remit mandatory contributions through the same channel.

Interswitch Uganda Country General Manager, Moris Seguya, said the partnership reinforces the company’s mission to deepen financial inclusion.

“This collaboration is pivotal to our objectives. With over 20,000 agents, Quickteller is strategically positioned to serve every Ugandan, especially those in the informal sector,” he said.

He noted that around 80% of Uganda’s workforce operates in the informal sector, where structured savings and pension benefits remain limited.

“This partnership ensures SmartLife customers can deposit their savings at Quickteller agents within their communities. Our systems are robust and regularly reviewed by the Bank of Uganda to ensure transaction security,” Seguya added.

Quickteller agent Flavia Namutamba, based in Kampala, welcomed the development, saying it will help customers who lack access to formal banking services.

“People often ask if they can register or send funds to NSSF through Quickteller. This solution bridges a major gap in the market.”

The partnership comes months after Interswitch launched PensionRemit in Nigeria — an automated platform to help employers comply with the country’s Pension Contribution Remittance System mandated by the National Pension Commission and the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria.

With the latest rollout in East Africa, Interswitch continues to expand its footprint as a trusted digital infrastructure provider, leveraging innovation, scale, and market expertise to enhance social value creation across the continent.

Founded in 2002, Interswitch pioneered electronic payments in Nigeria and developed Verve, Africa’s leading EMV-standard chip and PIN card scheme. Today, the company provides end-to-end payment solutions across Africa, pursuing its mission to make payments seamless and to enable communities to prosper.