For this Mbale exporter, real border crossing is the bank transfer

What the report says

UKI Uganda Limited, a Mbale-based manufacturer, importer and exporter, is working to simplify how it gets paid for goods sold across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to The Observer, the company has previously relied on third-party agents and multiple banks to process customer payments as it expanded across East and Central Africa, a setup that slowed transactions and reduced margins.

The report says UKI is now leaning on Equity Bank’s regional presence in Uganda, Kenya and the DRC to reduce those delays. The bank’s Uganda SME head, Olivia Mugaba, said exporters can use non-resident collection accounts to receive local sales proceeds in markets such as the DRC and repatriate the funds under the relevant export licences and rules. UKI’s managing director, Anant Kumar Manjithia, said the company wants a more direct payment model so Congolese buyers can deposit funds into its account more quickly and without extra charges.

Equity Bank Uganda managing director Gift Shoko said the bank’s footprint is intended to support businesses trading across African markets. Beyond payments, the bank is also providing financing and capacity-building support to UKI’s distributors and employees.

The development highlights a broader challenge in intra-African trade: firms may be able to move goods across borders more easily than they can collect payment. Faster settlement can help exporters restock sooner and meet regional demand more effectively.