In a bid to accelerate financial inclusion across Uganda, Wendi—a digital mobile wallet developed by PostBank Uganda, now rebranding to Pearl Bank—has launched a grassroots financial literacy and inclusion campaign targeting the unbanked and underbanked. So far, more than 5,000 people have participated.
Rolled out in mid-July, the campaign is covering 30 markets across Wakiso and Mukono districts and will run until the end of August. Its goal is to educate communities on how to access and effectively use the financial services available through Wendi.
A highlight of the trainings has been the Wendi 10% savings feature, which allows users who save UGX 20,000 or more to earn an annual interest rate of 10%, credited daily—an uncommon benefit in Uganda’s mobile wallet sector.
Brenda Mpoora, Head of Fintech Business at PostBank Uganda, said Wendi is reshaping the digital finance landscape. “Wendi is not just another wallet—it is a game-changer. We are taking financial services directly into communities, markets, and neighborhoods to show that these services are accessible, inclusive, and simple,” she noted.
Mpoora added that the wallet has been particularly well-received by community savings groups. “SACCOs, VSLAs, Investment Clubs, and other groups can digitize their operations with Wendi’s group savings tool, ensuring transparency, security, and efficiency in managing their finances,” she explained.
Beyond savings, Wendi also offers digital microloans for quick access to credit, as well as cross-border transactions through Western Union integration. Users can send and receive money globally, linking Ugandans abroad to financial services at home.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of the FinScope Uganda 2023 survey, which revealed that over 5.3 million Ugandans remain financially excluded. Wendi is positioning itself as a transformative tool to bridge that gap, in line with the government’s financial inclusion agenda and the Bank of Uganda’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy.
“These engagements in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono are just the beginning. We plan to extend this campaign to more districts soon, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind,” Mpoora said.
The wallet’s onboarding is simple, requiring only a national ID and phone number, with no paperwork or bank account needed. Accessible via the 229# USSD code or the Wendi app (Google Play and App Store), the platform is designed to be user-friendly even for first-time digital users. Its growing agent network of over 6,000 agents further enhances accessibility across the country.
Wendi also enables wallet-to-wallet transfers, cross-platform transactions with MTN and Airtel, and integrations with several banks including Housing Finance, Pride Bank, Opportunity Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Exim Bank. Businesses such as fuel stations, restaurants, and hotels are also using Wendi to receive digital payments.
In addition to affordability—offering some of the lowest transaction fees on the market for services such as utility payments, taxes, and school fees—Wendi is positioning itself not just as a payment tool, but as a platform for wealth creation and financial empowerment.