Airtel Money and NSSF renew partnership to expand access to voluntary savings through SmartLife Flexi

What the report says

Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited, which operates Airtel Money, and Uganda’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) have renewed a partnership to widen access to voluntary social security savings through SmartLife Flexi, NSSF’s flexible savings product for informal and emerging workers. The announcement was made in Kampala and dated 31 August 2026. According to Watchdog Uganda, the aim is to make it easier for more Ugandans to enroll and contribute digitally, using Airtel Money as the payment channel.

The companies said the collaboration is meant to support financial inclusion and encourage regular saving by reaching people who may not have traditional payroll-based pension coverage. NSSF said SmartLife is intended to extend social security coverage to workers in both the formal and informal economy, as well as Ugandans in the diaspora. Airtel Money said the service fits its broader role in delivering everyday financial tools through mobile technology.

Watchdog Uganda reported that, as of 28 August 2026, SmartLife Flexi had reached UGX 199.3 billion in assets and more than 130,000 enrollments, less than two years after launch. The article also noted that users can start with contributions as low as UGX 500, with transaction charges from UGX 150.

The partnership will be backed by awareness campaigns, social media outreach, customer activations, financial literacy efforts and community engagement. More broadly, the development reflects a wider push in Uganda to use mobile money platforms to expand access to savings and other formal financial services.