MOGO Uganda has announced that it has financed over 100,000 smartphones in just 200 days since launching its loan product in April 2025. This fast growth shows how much Ugandans want easy ways to get digital tools. The program helps people buy phones with small down payments and flexible payments, without needing collateral.
The loans start with a deposit as low as UGX 80,000. Customers pay the rest in daily, weekly, or monthly amounts starting at UGX 848. To apply, you need just a national ID and a SIM card linked to mobile money. Approval often takes under 15 minutes. MOGO partners with TECNO, Infinix, and itel from Transsion Holdings for the phones. Airtel Uganda adds free data bundles when you sign up, so you can start using the phone right away.
Growth has been huge: From 284 phones in April, it jumped 736% to 2,375 in May, up 97% to 4,682 in June, 125% to 10,545 in July, 129% to 24,206 in August, and 25% to 30,229 in September. That’s over 10,500% total growth in five months. This quick success proves the loans fit what people need.
What they say
Tomas Sudnius, CEO of Eleving Vehicle Finance: Africa & Asia (MOGO’s parent company), said at launch: “Uganda’s potential is driven by a young, rapidly developing population where many still lack access to smartphones, and that access to a smartphone equals access to global information and technology, empowering every Ugandan and accelerating the country’s development.”
The MOGO Uganda CEO, Mikhail Vydryn says: “MOGO Uganda is delighted with the overwhelming uptake and trust shown by our customers, partners, and stakeholders across the country. This milestone demonstrates that when we combine affordable financing, reliable smartphones, and seamless connectivity, we unlock massive social and economic impact. Reaching 100,000 smartphones financed in 200 days is not just a commercial performance marker, it is proof that digital inclusion at scale is possible.”
Why it matters
This milestone goes beyond numbers as it fixes real problems in Uganda. Only about 35% of Ugandans own a smartphone, the lowest rate in East Africa. While mobile phone use covers 88% of the population (43.2 million subscriptions), many still use basic feature phones, not smartphones. As of June 2025, smartphone users hit 17.6 million. Low ownership keeps people out of online jobs, education, and banking.
Smartphones change that. They let users do mobile money transfers, sell goods online, learn new skills, and connect with family. In Africa, mobile tech adds 8.1% to GDP. In Uganda, phone use boosts household income by 11-17% and helps escape poverty. Farmers get market prices fast, health workers reach more people, and small businesses grow.
MOGO’s loans make this open to everyone, even low earners. No big upfront cost means more young people (78% of Uganda’s population under 35) can join the digital economy. With Airtel’s data bundles, users start right away – paying bills, finding work, or studying apps. This fights joblessness (over 20% for youth) and builds skills for a tech-driven future.
