Kampala, Uganda – December 26, 2025 – NALA, a rapidly growing fintech company, is significantly expanding its footprint in East Africa following the announcement on December 26, 2025, that it has secured triple licensing in Uganda. This landmark achievement positions NALA to accelerate its mission of simplifying cross-border payments and providing accessible financial services to millions across the region, marking a pivotal moment for financial inclusion in a key African market.
The triple licensing – details of which were reported by Ecofin Agency – allows NALA to operate as a Payment Service Provider, a Microfinance Institution, and a Remittance Provider within Uganda. This comprehensive regulatory approval unlocks a wealth of opportunities for the company to offer a broader suite of financial products and services tailored to the specific needs of the Ugandan population. Crucially, it allows NALA to move beyond simply facilitating remittances and begin offering local currency accounts, savings products, and potentially even credit facilities, directly addressing the significant unmet demand for formal financial services within the country. This isn’t just about moving money; it’s about empowering individuals and businesses with the tools they need to thrive.
NALA has quickly established itself as a leading player in the African fintech space, focusing on providing affordable and reliable cross-border payment solutions. Founded with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the African diaspora sending money home, NALA has built a platform that significantly reduces costs and improves the speed of remittances compared to traditional methods. The company’s success is rooted in its commitment to leveraging technology to overcome infrastructural hurdles and deliver a seamless user experience. This latest expansion into Uganda builds on NALA’s existing operations in Tanzania and Kenya, demonstrating a clear strategic focus on dominating the East African corridor – a region experiencing rapid economic growth and increasing mobile penetration.
This move by NALA comes at a time of significant growth and investment in African fintech. Recent data from Techmoonshot indicates that African tech funding crossed the $3 billion mark in 2025, a remarkable comeback after a period of decline. This resurgence underscores the continued confidence of investors in the potential of African technology to address pressing societal challenges and drive economic development. Furthermore, the broader financial landscape is shifting towards mobile-first solutions, as highlighted by Research and Markets, with a projected acceleration in this trend between 2025 and 2033. NALA is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this momentum, offering a digital-first approach that resonates with a young, mobile-savvy population. The Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator programme, supporting up-and-coming fintechs like NALA, further demonstrates the commitment of global players to fostering innovation within the African ecosystem. The presence of 22 startups from 12 African countries in Visa’s 4th cohort, operating across 31 markets, speaks volumes about the dynamism and diversity of the continent’s fintech scene.
The implications of NALA’s Ugandan expansion extend far beyond simply providing cheaper remittances. By offering local currency accounts and savings products, NALA is empowering Ugandans to participate more fully in the formal economy. This increased financial inclusion can unlock access to credit, facilitate entrepreneurship, and ultimately contribute to broader economic growth. The creation of a more robust and accessible financial system will also attract further investment, creating jobs and opportunities for local communities. Moreover, NALA’s technology platform can serve as a foundation for other innovative financial services, such as micro-insurance and digital lending, further expanding its impact. The company’s focus on women-led innovation, as seen in the Visa Accelerator program, is particularly encouraging, as it ensures that the benefits of financial inclusion are shared equitably across all segments of society. This isn’t just about profits; it’s about building a more inclusive and prosperous future for all Ugandans.
Looking ahead, NALA’s success in Uganda is likely to serve as a blueprint for its expansion into other East African markets and beyond. The company’s commitment to regulatory compliance, coupled with its innovative technology and customer-centric approach, positions it for continued growth and leadership in the African fintech space. The strategic investment landscape, as explored by The South African, highlights the importance of both private equity and venture capital in unlocking fintech growth, and NALA’s ability to attract funding will be crucial to its long-term success. With a $500 billion market opportunity ripe for the taking, as Visa has identified, the future looks exceptionally bright for NALA and for the broader African fintech ecosystem. This is a testament to the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of African innovators, and a clear signal to investors worldwide that Africa is a continent brimming with potential. We can expect to see further innovation and expansion from NALA and its peers, driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment across the continent in the years to come.
