Mastercard has launched its inaugural office in Kampala, Uganda. (Image source: Mastercard)

Mastercard has inaugurated its first office in Uganda, marking a major step in its expansion strategy across East Africa. This move highlights the company’s commitment to boosting financial inclusion and driving digital transformation in the region

Uganda’s economy is projected to grow at 6.2% by 2025, positioning the country for ongoing development. Mastercard’s new office in Kampala will facilitate closer collaboration with local stakeholders, enabling the delivery of tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of Ugandan consumers and businesses.

This initiative aligns with Uganda's “Digital Uganda Vision,” a government-led programme aimed at harnessing digital technologies for national development.

Digitsing Africa

In support of this, Mastercard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions, enhance government services, and promote financial inclusion.

In compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, Mastercard was granted a Payment System Operator (PSO) License by the Bank of Uganda in 2024. This license enables Mastercard to provide essential services such as settlement and clearing operations within Uganda, positioning the company as a payment system operator for domestic transactions.

Mark Elliott, division president for Africa at Mastercard, commented, “Mastercard has a long-standing commitment to Africa, and the opening of our office in Uganda reinforces our dedication to this vibrant market. By being on the ground, we can better collaborate and drive the adoption of digital payment solutions that promote economic growth and financial inclusion. We are committed to leveraging our global expertise and innovative capabilities to advance payment technologies in this market. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our extensive network of partners in both the public and private sectors for their support in helping us build a more connected digital world.”

Shehryar Ali, senior vice-president and country manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard, added, “Uganda presents immense opportunities for digital innovation. Our new office aims to serve as a hub for developing and implementing payment solutions that cater to the evolving needs of Ugandan consumers and businesses. We will continue to collaborate with our stakeholders and new players in the fintech space and beyond as we contribute to a connected and inclusive digital future for all.”

Mastercard’s efforts to drive financial and digital progress in Uganda also include initiatives such as the Community Pass Customer Summit and collaborations with the Uganda Bankers Association.

The opening of the Kampala office is part of Mastercard’s broader strategy to expand its presence across Africa, joining existing offices in Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Port Louis, and Accra.

Also read: Ghana welcomes Mastercard’s first office

“Achieving the TCCF for our DRC data centre is a significant milestone for Raxio Group,” said Robert Saunders, chief technology officer at Raxio Group. (Image source: Raxio Group)

Raxio Group has successfully obtained the Tier Certification of Constructed Facility (TCCF) from Uptime Institute for its 1.5MW data centre in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

This achievement reinforces Raxio’s dedication to delivering high-quality, reliable data centre infrastructure across Africa.

The certification process included an intensive four-day, on-site assessment by Uptime Institute engineers, who rigorously evaluated every aspect of the facility’s design and construction.

Building resilience

The data centre met all Tier III standards, confirming full compliance with approved design documents and showcasing Raxio’s commitment to technical excellence.

“Achieving the TCCF for our DRC data centre is a significant milestone for Raxio Group,” said Robert Saunders, chief technology officer at Raxio Group. “This certification not only demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of our team in overcoming many challenges but also reinforces our commitment to building and operating state-of-the-art data centres in emerging markets.”

This milestone was made possible by the expertise of Raxio’s engineering team, whose leadership ensured the project met certification requirements. The Project Management Office team oversaw the construction, while the local Technical Operations team prepared the facility for Uptime Institute’s stringent testing.

With this latest certification, Raxio now has three Tier III certified data centres in its expanding portfolio, further strengthening its position as a leading provider of advanced data centre solutions in Africa.

Also read: Raxio achieves Tier III milestone

Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf - Kinshasa, said, “Achieving ISO 27001, ISO 22301 and PCI DSS certifications is a testament to our unwavering dedication to operational excellence and client-centric service delivery."

Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Texaf - Kinshasa has achieved a major milestone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by securing three globally recognised certifications: ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and PCI DSS

This pioneering accomplishment highlights OADC Texaf - Kinshasa’s dedication to delivering secure, resilient, and world-class digital infrastructure that aligns with international standards.

ISO 27001, the internationally recognised benchmark for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), affirms that OADC Texaf - Kinshasa has implemented robust security measures. This certification assures clients of its commitment to safeguarding information integrity while also serving as a foundation for achieving Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance.

PCI DSS certification further establishes OADC Texaf - Kinshasa as a reliable partner for the financial services and payments sector. By adhering to strict security protocols, the company plays a crucial role in advancing the DRC’s financial and payments landscape. This certification also reinforces trust in financial services, supporting the nation’s ongoing push for financial inclusion.

Additionally, the ISO 22301 certification for Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) ensures that OADC Texaf - Kinshasa can maintain seamless service delivery and rapidly recover from unexpected disruptions. This guarantees clients a high level of operational reliability, which is essential for businesses requiring unwavering service integrity.

Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf - Kinshasa, commented, “Achieving ISO 27001, ISO 22301 and PCI DSS certifications is a testament to our unwavering dedication to operational excellence and client-centric service delivery. These milestones position OADC as a leader in secure and resilient digital infrastructure, supporting the growth of the DRC’s digital economy and fostering trust among local and international businesses.”

These certifications are particularly significant for OADC Texaf - Kinshasa’s diverse customer base, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom carriers, enterprises, banks, and financial institutions. By surpassing global compliance standards, the company strengthens the foundation for secure and dependable digital services, driving technological innovation and economic expansion across the region.

This achievement also enhances the DRC’s reputation as an emerging digital infrastructure hub in Africa, attracting foreign investment and reinforcing confidence in the country’s digital transformation journey. As the demand for secure, resilient, and compliant data centre services continues to grow, OADC Texaf - Kinshasa remains a trailblaser, setting industry benchmarks and shaping the future of digital infrastructure in the DRC and Central Africa.

Also read: Rawbank partners with OADC Kinshasa

AXIAN Telecom strengthens disaster response efforts by signing the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter. (Image source: AXIAN Telecom)

AXIAN Telecom, a leading pan-African telecommunications group, has officially signed the GSMA Humanitarian Connectivity Charter (HCC). Established in 2015, the HCC strengthens Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs) ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies such as natural disasters

By joining this initiative, AXIAN Telecom brings its MNOs—now unified under the Yas brand in Tanzania, Madagascar, Comoros, Senegal, and Togo—into a collaborative effort to enhance disaster resilience.

The HCC’s core principles focus on ensuring communities affected by crises have access to reliable connectivity while setting industry-wide best practices for preparedness and emergency response. It emphasises the importance of timely information sharing to benefit both affected populations and humanitarian organizations.

In alignment with this commitment, AXIAN Telecom, through Yas in Madagascar, is working with GSMA to implement an Early Warning System (EWS) designed to improve disaster response. The system is built on four key components: data collection, risk assessment, hazard monitoring, and issuing alerts—helping to strengthen national and community-level preparedness.

Following the impact of Cyclone Chido on Mayotte on 14 December, AXIAN Telecom swiftly mobilised to support affected communities. The company’s relief initiatives included restoring mobile infrastructure, offering free communication between Comoros and Mayotte via Yas Comoros, and collaborating with Free-Groupe Iliad and Télécoms Sans Frontières to coordinate aid efforts. These actions reinforce AXIAN Telecom’s dedication to humanitarian connectivity across its operational regions.

AXIAN Telecom CEO Hassan Jaber commented, “For many years, people have been affected by disasters, with the Cyclone Chido serving as a stark reminder of the devastating toll these events can take on communities. AXIAN Telecom is deeply remorseful for the hardship the people of Mayotte continue to endure and remains committed to supporting our communities. We are determined to leverage technology for good and help our communities be better prepared for such unfortunate events. While the initiative is less than a decade old, we commend the progress made so far and are excited to once again collaborate with GSMA, beginning with EWS4ALL. This project will be pivotal, particularly in our East African and Indian ocean-based regions, which are highly vulnerable to natural disasters.”

Kimberly Brown, head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation at GSMA, added, “Connectivity is a lifeline for emergency-affected populations, the GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter fosters industry-wide cooperation in times of crisis, and we are pleased to welcome AXIAN Telecom as a signatory. Mobile network operators continue to play a critical role in humanitarian preparedness, response, and recovery, harnessing mobile technology to support communities in need. AXIAN Telecom’s efforts in Madagascar, including the development of an Early Warning System, exemplify this commitment – ensuring communities are better equipped to anticipate and mitigate disasters. This is a valuable contribution to the Early Warnings for All initiative.”

Also read: AXIAN expands digital access with AfDB Loan