Pesapal Uganda has announced a strategic partnership with fintech company Pezesha to pilot a data-driven credit facility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda.
The initiative is part of Pesapal’s broader commitment to advancing financial inclusion, especially at a time when nearly 60% of Ugandan adults lack access to formal credit and SMEs continue to face persistent financing gaps.
By extending access to affordable, data-backed credit, the partnership aims to empower Uganda’s small businesses which represent over 90% of the private sector and contribute the majority of employment by providing them with the working capital they need to thrive.
The initiative is closely aligned with the Bank of Uganda’s vision and the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2023–2028), which prioritizes expanding access to affordable financial services, promoting responsible digital lending, and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
“We are excited to partner with Pezesha to bring this innovative credit solution to our merchants in Uganda,” said Martin Barungi, Country Director of Pesapal Uganda. “Many small and medium businesses face challenges accessing financing, which often slows down their growth. By embedding credit directly into our payments platform, we are empowering merchants to unlock new opportunities and strengthen their businesses.”
The pilot program will begin with a selected group of Pesapal merchants in a controlled rollout, allowing for a smooth onboarding experience, responsible lending practices, and the integration of insights before broader expansion.
Through this partnership, Pesapal will integrate Pezesha’s proprietary credit scoring engine, Patascore, into its platform. This technology leverages real-time transaction data such as sales volumes, seasonality trends, and repayment history to assess merchant eligibility and determine appropriate credit limits.
By removing the need for traditional collateral, the facility offers affordable, right-sized financing that helps SMEs bridge short-term cash gaps, restock inventory, and continue operations without disruption.
“At Pezesha, our mission is to close the financing gap for SMEs across Africa,” said Jessica Tusiime, Operations Manager at Pezesha. “Partnering with Pesapal allows us to reach thousands of merchants with affordable and responsible credit, enabling them to build resilience and thrive in today’s competitive market.”
Merchants on the Pesapal platform will now be able to: Improve cash flow with timely access to affordable credit, Restock faster to meet customer demand without delays and Scale operations with the financial support necessary for sustainable growth.
This initiative comes at a critical time for Ugandan SMEs, many of which struggle with cash flow issues despite increased adoption of digital payment solutions. The embedded credit model offers a seamless way for businesses to access financing directly through the Pesapal ecosystem.
The launch of this pilot aligns with Uganda’s national financial inclusion agenda, which emphasizes access, affordability, and responsible lending. By providing merchants with both payment processing tools and access to credit, Pesapal is positioning itself not just as a payment service provider, but as a catalyst for economic growth and SME resilience.
