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Best Payment Gateways for E-commerce Sites in Uganda

A guide to receiving payments online in Uganda. We compare MTN MoMo, Airtel Money, Pesapal, Flutterwave, and more.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Top Gateways
  3. Key Considerations
  4. Summary & Key Takeaways
  5. Common FAQs

For any e-commerce business in Uganda, the ability to accept payments seamlessly is the lifeblood of success. With Mobile Money being the dominant payment method, simply accepting Visa cards isn't enough.

Payment Gateways Logos

Here are the top payment gateways you should consider for your Ugandan online store.

Top Payment Gateways

1. Flutterwave

Flutterwave is a powerhouse in African payments. It allows you to accept Mobile Money (MTN & Airtel), Visa, MasterCard, and even bank transfers.

  • Pros: Modern dashboard, supports multi-currency, reliable MoMo integration.
  • Cons: Verification process can sometimes be lengthy.

2. Pesapal

Pesapal is a veteran in the East African market. It's widely trusted by hotels and tour operators.

  • Pros: Strong local presence, verified trust.
  • Cons: Integration documentation can feel slightly dated compared to newer players.

3. MTN MoMo Open API

If you want to cut out the middleman, you can integrate directly with MTN.

  • Pros: Direct integration means slightly lower fees.
  • Cons: Only covers MTN customers (you'd need a separate one for Airtel), requires significant developer expertise to implement securely.

4. DPO Group

Popular among large enterprises and airlines, DPO offers robust security and fraud protection.

  • Pros: High security, good for high-volume transactions.
  • Cons: Setup fees and monthly maintenance costs can be high for small businesses.

5. Eversend for Business

A newer player offering sleek solutions for collecting payments and managing currency exchange.

  • Pros: Great user interface, good exchange rates.
  • Cons: Newer ecosystem.

Mobile Money transaction

Key Considerations

  • Mobile Money is King: Ensure your gateway prioritizes MoMo. 80%+ of Ugandan transactions happen via phone.
  • Settlement Time: How fast does the money hit your bank account? (Usually T+1 to T+3 days).
  • Transaction Fees: typically range from 2.5% to 3.5%.

Conclusion

For most SMEs, Flutterwave offers the best balance of ease-of-use and features. However, for specific enterprise needs, DPO or direct integrations might be better.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Aggregators vs. Direct: Aggregators (Flutterwave) are easier; Direct (MTN API) is cheaper but harder.
  • Local Trust: Pesapal is great for tourism/hotels.
  • UX: Ensure the checkout flow is smooth on mobile.

Common FAQs

1. Can I receive international payments? Yes, Flutterwave, Pesapal, and DPO all allow you to receive Visa/MasterCard payments from abroad.

2. How do I get my money? The gateway settles the funds to your bank account or mobile money wallet, usually within 24-48 hours.

3. Is it secure? Yes, reputable gateways are PCI-DSS compliant, meaning they meet strict security standards for handling card data.

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