KAMPALA, Uganda — Airtel Money announced Thursday, Nov. 13, a partnership with Juba Express, a licensed international payment service provider, to launch cross-border money transfer services directly from the Airtel Money mobile wallet.
The new initiative allows customers to send money instantly and securely to more than 120 countries, addressing the high costs typically associated with international remittances.
According to World Bank data, remittance inflows to Sub-Saharan Africa reached $54 billion in 2023. Uganda received approximately $1.2 billion in 2023, a figure that grew to $1.42 billion as of January 2024. These funds are considered a vital economic lifeline for households supporting education, healthcare and small business investments.
The new Airtel Money–Juba Express service aims to lower these costs by offering real-time transfers with transparent foreign exchange rates and simplified access through the Airtel Money USSD menu.
Japeth Aritho, the managing director of Airtel Money, highlighted the necessity of the service in today’s interconnected world.
“The need to send money across borders is more critical than ever,” Aritho said. “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.”
The new service is instant, secure and borderless, offering customers unmatched convenience. Customers can send money to more than 120 countries directly to any wallet or bank account. The service features low foreign exchange rates and transfer fees starting from 120 Ugandan shillings, with up to 5 million shillings transferable per transaction. It is instantly accessible through the USSD code *185# and is backed by Airtel Money, regulated by the Bank of Uganda, and powered by licensed provider Juba Express.
Sitati Dawo from Juba Express commented on the collaboration’s role in driving financial inclusion.
“Partnering with Airtel Money allows us to extend that promise to millions of Ugandans, empowering them to support loved ones, run businesses, and access opportunities across borders with confidence and ease,” Dawo said.
By integrating Juba Express, Airtel Money seeks to strengthen Uganda’s position in digital financial innovation and ensure Ugandans can easily participate in the global economy.