Interswitch, Africa’s leading integrated payments solution has partnered with eMaisha Pay, to provide digitize payments in Uganda’s agriculture sector, in order to address several challenges encountered by farmers as well as businesses throughout the value chain.
The partnership aims to tackle issues such as limited access to credit, absence of appropriate saving tools, and the risk of theft associated with handling cash.
Smart devices which will enable wholesale field agents to accept payments made by retailers of agricultural products using the eMaisha Verve Card has been introduced by Interswitch.
This digitization will eliminates the need for physical cash transactions, and will enhance the security for all stakeholders.
Speaking, the Managing Director of Interswitch East Africa, Peter Kawumi, emphasized the company’s commitment to simplifying payments across sectors and regions,
Kawumi said, “Interswitch is pleased to embark on this partnership with eMaisha Pay which signals a new dawn for our agricultural sector in Uganda. Digitizing the agricultural value chain, which employs almost 70% of Uganda’s population, will enhance genuine agricultural inputs and solidify Uganda’s role as the food basket in the region.”
Smallholding farmers, who are often excluded from the formal financial services fold will also benefit from the partnership.
The eMaisha Verve Card facilitates their access to credit and the purchase of inputs, creating a financial history and digital footprint for assessing creditworthiness, while the card’s savings functionality ensures business continuity for farmers, and contributing to the sustainability of their ventures.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of eMaisha Pay, Sserubiri Uhuru, highlighted the partnership’s commitment to revolutionizing financial access for agribusinesses.
Uhuru said, “This partnership is a fusion of our shared commitment to revolutionizing financial access and empowerment for agribusinesses across Africa.”
“The eMaisha Verve Card powered by Interswitch’s robust infrastructure, is set to redefine the agriculture financing landscape, offering tailored financial services to agribusinesses and smallholding farmers to grow, and build resilience in the face of climate change.”
“This partnership is a testament of our relentless pursuit for innovation, and excellence, striving to bring the best of technology and financial services to the doorsteps of Africa’s smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.”
