Britam Uganda and Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited have announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to insurance, investment, and other regulated financial services through the Airtel Money platform.
The collaboration, unveiled in Kampala on July 22, marks a significant step as financial institutions increasingly turn to digital platforms to deepen financial inclusion across Uganda. The partnership will enable customers to access insurance and investment products through mobile-first channels, combining Britam’s expertise in insurance, life assurance, and asset management with Airtel Money’s digital payments platform and nationwide customer reach.
The companies say the initiative is intended to address Uganda’s protection and investment gaps by making regulated financial services easier to access, understand, and pay for through a platform already used by millions of Ugandans for daily transactions.
The partnership will operate under the Insurance Ku Ssimu campaign, which seeks to reduce barriers such as distance, paperwork, and limited operating hours while maintaining regulatory standards and customer protection.
Speaking at the launch, Allan Mafabi, Managing Director of Britam Uganda, emphasised that the partnership extends beyond a single insurance product.
“This is a strategic partnership built around impact, not simply a single product,” Mafabi said. “We are bringing together insurance, life assurance, and investment expertise with a channel that millions of Ugandans already use. Our ambition is to make financial protection and wealth-building more accessible, and to help households and businesses become better able to withstand shocks and plan for the future.”
The partnership’s first product is Motor Third Party insurance, a mandatory cover for all vehicle owners in Uganda. Customers can purchase the cover by dialling *185*7*6*1#, entering their vehicle details, and authorising payment using their Airtel Money PIN. They then receive confirmation via SMS and can retrieve a digital Motor Third Party sticker.
This digital sticker replaces the traditional paper version and is officially recognised and verifiable by authorities, including traffic police. The move aligns with the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s push for digital transformation in the sector.
Japhet Aritho, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited, said the collaboration builds on the role mobile money has played in expanding financial access.
“Mobile money has already transformed how Ugandans participate in the economy,” Aritho said. “The next opportunity is to use that same reach and familiarity to help customers protect what they are building and access more pathways to long-term financial security. Through this partnership, we are moving beyond transactions and using our platform to support inclusion, resilience, and meaningful customer outcomes.”
The partners said customer education will be central to the rollout, with plans for media campaigns, market activations, digital education, and live demonstrations aimed at improving public understanding of insurance and investment products.
They also said future products will be introduced based on customer demand, responsible product design, and the necessary regulatory approvals, with success measured not only by uptake but also by customer understanding, sustained use, service quality, and the number of previously underserved people reached.
The partnership is part of Britam Uganda’s broader strategy to become a leading provider of innovative insurance solutions in the country. The company has previously partnered with MTN Uganda on the Insurance Everywhere initiative, which allows consumers to access insurance products through select Mobile Money outlets.
More recently, Britam Uganda launched the Car-Tono Katono campaign, which allows customers to spread comprehensive motor insurance payments through flexible arrangements, including monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual options. The company was also recognised as the second most innovative non-life solution provider at the Uganda Insurance Innovation Awards.
For Airtel Uganda, the partnership builds on its commitment to leveraging mobile technology for social and economic impact. The company recently partnered with Spiro to introduce electric motorcycles into its last-mile distribution network, demonstrating its focus on sustainable and inclusive growth.
