While Uganda's population is about 50 million, only around 18.2 million smartphones are in use, leaving more than half the country without access to the opportunities mobile technology provides.
Watu Simu, the smartphone financing arm of Watu, and Samsung, a global technology leader, are tackling this challenge head-on and have already enabled over 500,000 Ugandans to own a smartphone through their partnership.
The initiative combines Samsung's devices with Watu Simu's affordable, flexible financing model, ensuring that no region of Uganda is left without access to technology.
Watu's approach has already transformed lives in Kenya and other countries across Africa, where millions of clients have gained access to smartphones for work, education, and connectivity.
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Building on this success, the Uganda partnership with Samsung is scaling rapidly, with over half a million customers already benefiting and many more expected as the model expands nationwide.
Recent insights from a GeoPoll survey highlight the tangible impact of smartphone access in Uganda: 54% of Watu customers reported higher incomes, 21% secured new jobs, and 86% now access mobile banking weekly.
For small business owners like Zubedah Nabankema in Kampala, this access has been life-changing.
After acquiring a smartphone through Watu Simu, she now manages her juice business digitally, reaching more customers, saving more money, and increasing her income, a story echoed by thousands of other entrepreneurs across the country.
Suzanne Masimbwa, a food vendor in Kampala, used a Watu Simu loan in 2024 to buy her first smartphone, transforming her business.
She now markets and sells produce via WhatsApp, receives payments through mobile money, and manages deliveries more efficiently, expanding her customer base and building trust.
The phone also boosts her financial security by reducing cash handling and enabling direct bank deposits. With steady income, Suzanne comfortably services her loan while growing her business, making the smartphone a vital tool for empowerment and stability.
"Samsung is committed to driving digital inclusion across Africa. Through this partnership with Watu Simu, we are ensuring that more Ugandans can access innovative technology that enhances their daily lives and creates growth opportunities," said Moses Kutesta Buye, Country Manager for Uganda, Samsung Electronics East Africa.
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"At Watu, our mission is to unlock financial access and empower communities. Reaching over 500,000 clients in Uganda is just the beginning; we are committed to scaling further so that millions more, including those in underserved regions, can benefit from affordable smartphones and the opportunities they create," said Mykyta Batenko, Head of Watu Simu in Uganda.
This partnership is not just about smartphones; it is about unlocking income, jobs, and digital inclusion for millions of Ugandans.
