A customer receives a step-by-step guide on using the Wendi mobile wallet
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I In an effort to empower customers in Uganda to send and receive funds globally, Post Bank Uganda and Western Union have collaborated and unveiled international money transfers in the Wendi mobile wallet.
Wendi is PostBank Uganda’s innovative digital wallet that enables customers to efficiently manage and transact funds directly from their smartphones and feature phones.
According to Priscilla Akora, Post Bank’s Communications manager, customers can now receive money from their loved ones into the wallet seamlessly through Western Union’s vast global network, which spans over 200 countries and territories.
“They now have the flexibility to send funds to bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide, as well as for cash pick-up at locations abroad,” she said in a statement issued on December 24th.
She added that the launch builds on Western Union’s and PostBank Uganda’s existing collaboration of in-person services with a new, comprehensive digital service for customers.
The collaboration underpins Western Union’s Evolve 2025 strategy to double its digital business globally by focusing on product innovation and scalable market investments.
Secure Savings
It aims to ensure that everyone can access and benefit from reliable financial services like Wendi, based on their convenience and needs.
Andrew Kabeera, PostBank’s Executive Director noted that with Wendi, they are empowering Ugandans, especially those who may have limited access to traditional banking services, to access secure savings accounts, earn 10% annual interest on daily savings, and complete various financial transactions with ease.
“This collaboration with Western Union furthers this by offering our customers a reliable, easy-to-use outlet for international money transfers,” he said.
He added that Wendi is central to their mission of making financial services accessible to all Ugandans, empowering them to connect with the global community and driving socio-economic development.
Kabera added that the launch additionally supports PostBank’s long-standing commitment and mission to economically transform lives through relevant financial services and promote access to the global financial ecosystem for underserved communities.
Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, Western Union’s Regional Vice President of Africa, said Uganda’s fast-growing digital landscape presents an immense opportunity to enhance financial inclusion.
“This new service will reach out to both banked and unbanked populations. It will ensure that more Ugandans can participate in the global economy,” he said.
Digital Technologies
Touhami el Ouazzani added that as Uganda continues to embrace digital technologies, they are proud to be at the forefront – connecting families and communities.
Western Union and Wendi by PostBank Uganda’s collaboration comes at a time of rapid digital adoption across the country, where mobile money transactions have surged in recent years.
Bank of Uganda recently reported that in 2023, over 43 million customers were registered to access mobile money.
Akora further said that collaboration with Wendi will support the demand for digital money transactions, by providing an efficient, user-friendly option for money transfers – particularly for those who may not have access to traditional banking services.
“In addition to international transfers, Wendi mobile wallet customers can also enjoy other benefits, such as paying bills and accessing micro-financial services.”
She said they can also withdraw cash from the wallet at any Wendi kiosks across the country.
Western Union provides cross-border, cross-currency money movement, payments and digital financial services empower consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments—across more than 200 countries and territories, and over 130 currencies.
PostBank Uganda, a fully-fledged commercial bank, boasts of a wide branch network of 58 branches countrywide, and over 3,000 Agents. These are complemented by PostMobile, PostApp, PostOnline and smart ATMs.
Launched in November 2023, Wendi is PostBank’s innovative mobile wallet, designed to offer seamless financial services to underserved and last-mile customers.
Through Wendi, users can access, manage, and transact funds efficiently. Since its inception, Wendi has onboarded over 1.3 million subscribers and works with over 4,000 agents countrywide.
