Overview:
Centenary Bank debuts Gonza Pay, a new digital wallet aimed at lowering financial barriers for rural populations and informal traders in Uganda.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Centenary Bank has launched Gonza Pay, a secure digital wallet designed to expand financial inclusion and accelerate digital transformation across the country.
The bank-backed platform allows any individual to open an account, regardless of whether they are an existing customer of the commercial microfinance institution. Bank officials said the tool aims to bridge the gap between cash-heavy transactions and modern digital finance, lowering cost barriers for rural populations and informal traders who traditionally face high transit costs to access brick-and-mortar branches.
Joseph Balikuddembe, executive director of business at Centenary Bank, said the platform represents a transition toward a digitally led banking model. The strategy emphasizes reaching underserved and rural customers to enhance both operational efficiency and customer experience.
The launch coincides with rapid growth in the local digital economy. Bank of Uganda statistics show the value of electronic money transactions increased 28 percent in 2025, climbing to $100.3 billion, or 366 trillion Ugandan shillings, up from $75 billion, or 285.9 trillion Ugandan shillings, the prior year. Transaction volumes grew 17.3 percent over the same period, totaling 9.1 billion transactions.
Tumubweine Twinemanzi, executive director of national payments systems at the Bank of Uganda, attended the launch on behalf of Deputy Governor Augustus Nuwagaba. Twinemanzi said innovations like digital wallets advance the national agenda by bringing more participants into the formal economy and expanding economic opportunity through increased convenience.
Centenary Bank operates 81 branches, 209 ATMs and a network of 9,000 agents nationwide, serving more than 3 million customers.
Users can access Gonza Pay by downloading the application from major mobile app stores or by dialing USSD code *211#.