Payment Gateways for Ugandan Websites

Posted on by Mukalele Rogers

By Joan Logose.

Often, we design stunning websites in Uganda, but run into challenges when it comes to processing transactions. Many websites showcase products beautifully, but lack the ability to complete the checkout process. 

In July, students will compete in the Uganda Website Projects Competition 2024, showcasing their websites under the theme “Problem Solving with WordPress.

If you’re presenting a website that handles transactions, you can impress the judges by integrating a functioning checkout system that supports multiple payment options. This could include transactions for product purchases, ticket sales, school fee payments, savings, fundraising, donations, tithes, and offertories.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, having a reliable and efficient payment gateway is crucial for the success of any e-commerce business. For Ugandan websites, integrating the right payment gateway can make a significant difference in ensuring smooth transactions, enhancing customer experience, and driving business growth.

Key Considerations when selecting a Payment gateway in Uganda:

  • Supported Payment Methods: Choose a gateway that supports the payment methods your target audience prefers, such as mobile money, credit/debit cards, and bank transfers.
  • Ease of Integration: Consider your technical skills and the complexity of integration. Some gateways are easier to integrate than others.
  • Security: Ensure the gateway offers robust security measures to protect your customers’ data.
  • Transaction Fees/Pricing Plans: Carefully compare the pricing plans of different payment gateways, considering transaction fees, monthly fees, and any other associated costs.
  • Customer Support: Choose a gateway with responsive and helpful customer support.
  • Reputation and track record: Research the reputation and track record of the payment gateway providers to ensure they are reliable and trustworthy.
  • Reviews: Read reviews from other users to get insights into their experiences and satisfaction levels.
  • Customer support: Choose a payment gateway provider that offers responsive and helpful customer support in case you encounter any issues.

By following these tips, you can choose the best payment gateway for your Ugandan website and ensure a smooth and successful transaction experience for your customers.

Popular Payment Gateways in Uganda:

This guide explores the most commonly used payment gateways available for Ugandan businesses, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.

1. Flutterwave

Strengths:

  • Wide Acceptance: Flutterwave supports various payment methods like credit/debit cards, mobile money (MTN, Airtel), Digital Wallet and Bank transfers.
  • User-Friendly Interface: It’s easy to integrate and navigate, making it perfect for students who might not have extensive technical skills. They have a WordPress plugin
  • Security: Flutterwave ensures secure transactions with advanced security measures.
  • Multi-Currency Support: Supports transactions in multiple currencies, great for a website with an international audience.
  • Payment Links: You can use payment links for easy payment collection, which means less integration work for you.
  • Wide Coverage: It is found in a number of African countries, Europe and North America. 
  • Easy Integration: Works well with platforms like WooCommerce, which is widely used in WordPress. They also have payment links which can be added to any website without extra plugins.

Weaknesses:

  • Tedious Onboarding Process: Merchants used to self onboard, but this stopped and nowadays, one has to contact the company to do onboarding for and this can take a lot time.
  • Occasional Delays: Sometimes, there can be delays in customer service as their operatives are mostly based in Nigeria.

2. DPO

Strengths:

  • Comprehensive Solutions: Offers various payment options like credit cards, mobile money, and bank transfers.
  • Security: Ensures transactions are secure with PCI-DSS certification.
  • Global Reach: Supports multiple currencies and international transactions.
  • Payment Links: Simplifies payment collection without extensive integration.
  • Easy integration: They have a ready WordPress Plugin

Weaknesses:

  • Tedious onboarding process: Be prepared to hand in a lot of paperwork. This is to help you with compliance though, which is an advantage to you as a merchant.
  • No Mixed Use: They will demand that you don’t use the same site for both donations and sales, which could limit your site’s versatility.

3.Pesapal

Strengths:

  • Local Adaptation: Tailored to the East African and neighboring market, making it highly relevant for your Ugandan site.
  • Diverse Payment Options: Supports mobile money, credit/debit cards, and online banking.
  • Event Management: Great for handling ticket sales and payments for events, which can add functionality to your site.
  • Payment Links: Offers payment links, reducing the need for complex integration.

Weaknesses:

  • Integration Challenges: Some find it tricky to integrate, so you might need extra time or help with this.
  • No Donations: If your site needs to accept donations, Pesapal might not be the best choice.

4.DusuPay

Strengths:

  • Extensive Reach: Connects with several payment methods across Africa, making it versatile for various payment options.
  • Multi-Currency Support: Supports transactions in multiple currencies
  • Easy Integration: Works well with platforms like WooCommerce, which is widely used in WordPress.

Weaknesses:

  • Customer Support: Some users report slow customer support, which can be frustrating if you encounter issues close to your competition date.
  • Complex Pricing: The pricing structure can be confusing, so you’ll need to do some homework to understand all the costs involved.

5.Mobile Money APIs (MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money)

Both MTN and Airtel have developer tools to enable integration to your website.

Strengths:

  • Widespread Adoption: Widely used in Uganda, making it a familiar and trusted option.
  • Convenience: Fast and easy for customers to use their mobile phones for payments.
  • Direct Integration: APIs for direct integration into your website, providing a seamless payment experience.

Weaknesses:

  • Technical Integration: Requires technical knowledge to integrate the APIs, which can be challenging without help.

6. Yo Uganda

Strengths:

  • Versatile Payment Options: Supports mobile money, bank payments, and online transfers.
  • User-Friendly: Easy to integrate and straightforward to use.
  • Local Focus: Tailored specifically for the Ugandan market, but popular among forex trading platforms. If you have ever received a payout from a forex trading platform, chances are that it was processed by Yo.

Weaknesses:

  • Limited International Reach: Primarily focused on Uganda, which might limit international expansion.
  • Custom service: Not readily responsive 

7. Bank Merchant APIs

Many banks like ABSA, Ecobank, Equity Bank, UBA, and others offer merchant services.

Strengths:

  • Trust and Reliability: Banks offer secure and reliable payment processing.
  • Comprehensive Services: Banks provide a range of financial services beyond payment processing.
  • Lower transaction charges: Most banks have lower transaction charges for their merchant services compared to other payment gateways.

Weaknesses:

  • Technical Expertise Required: Requires significant technical knowledge to integrate their APIs onto one’s website.
  • Complex Integration: The process can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Bank Account Necessity: You need to be an active customer at a particular bank to have their merchant account.

Other notable Payment Gateways in Uganda:

  • Pegasus Technologies
  • Beyonic
  • Easy Pay Uganda

The list above does not encompass all the payment gateways available in Uganda; it focuses on the most prevalent and widely recognized options. However, choosing the right payment gateway for your Ugandan website can make a huge difference in your project’s success and impact on the audience.

Each payment gateway has unique strengths and weaknesses, so consider your specific needs, audience, and technical skills when making your choice. With the right payment gateway, you can enhance your website’s functionality, impress the judges, and stand out in the competition. 

Good luck!!