DTB Uganda, Mastercard partner to increase financial inclusion in West Nile

Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Uganda has partnered with Mastercard to increase financial inclusion in the eleven districts of Uganda’s West Nile Sub-region.

These districts include Arua, Koboko, Yumbe, Zombo, Maracha, Nebbi, and Adjumani among others.

The drive intends to increase the usage of formal banking services in the region through use of affordable banking services backed by the DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard.

Speaking during the event at Hotel La Confidential, Arua, DTB Managing Director Varghese Thambi, revealed that over 50 people have been recruited to sensitize and enroll communities in the region into formal banking.

He said communities in West Nile will be transformed to appreciate and utilize formal banking services with minimal cash handling while doing business or any form of financial transaction.

“Customers will be utilising the DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard to make payments locally and internationally. The DTB Platinum Mastercard offers a vast array of benefits to cardholders namely, access, security, convenience, control, and lastly recognition,” he said.

These will be signed up on the DTB Digital Banking savings account which will automatically give them a DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard.

According to Thambi, this partnership and drive aligns with the bank’s commitment to ensuring quality banking services and access to everyone in the West Nile Region and Uganda at large.

“We believe financial inclusion and access to banking service is a right that everyone should enjoy. The products we are introducing in the region are accessible through over 22,000 agents on a shared banking platform, ATM, POS and usable by everyone. These will change your financial experience as they are very affordable for all to utilize,” said Thambi.

Minister of State for Privatization and Investment Evelyn Anite, who graced the roll-out event, where she signed up as a customer and received a DTB Platinum Debit Mastercard, urged communities in West Nile to embrace banking services and utilize cash free facilities like Mastercard for ease of doing business that are secure for customers.

We believe financial inclusion and access to banking service is a right that everyone should enjoy. The products we are introducing in the region are accessible through over 22,000 agents on a shared banking platform, ATM, POS and usable by everyone. These will change your financial experience as they are very affordable for all to utilize,”

DTB Managing Director Varghese Thambi

According to Shehryar Ali, the Country Manager for Mastercard East Africa, the collaboration with DTB comes at a time when access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet the needs of individuals and businesses is more critical than ever as we move towards the advancement of a cashless society.

He said this further supports Mastercard’s goal of including 1 billion people and 50 million micro and small businesses into the digital economy by 2025.

“Mastercard is committed to providing digital solutions that help customers make safe and seamless transactions. We are proud to collaborate with DTB Uganda to enhance the drive to access financial services enabling more people to enter the digital economy. The cards space is fast-evolving globally, and as a leader in the payments technology industry, we will continue to innovate to always provide our customers with the best solutions and experiences,” said Ali.

Customers who sign up for the launched services will be able to access financial services at over 22,000 agents across Uganda, 34 DTB Branches and other Bank ATMs branded with Mastercard.