The mobile money business is one of the most booming small-scale businesses around the country.
In July 2018, the Bank of Uganda (BOU) indicated a significant rise in the mobile money balance on customer accounts of up to UGX 495.9B. These numbers have steadily grown over the past 10 years since its inception in March 2009. Even when taxes have been a factor to think about, we can’t ignore the impact of mobile money services on our economy-specifically the individuals.
Reflect on the shift in the employment sector, lower transaction costs, integrating greater customer convenience and improved rural access to financial services. If you are one of those who want to join the struggle of making Uganda a completely cashless economy, we have a starter for you.
Firstly, you need to know about Mobile Money. Here is a detailed guide on how Mobile Money in Uganda works, and how Mobile Money agents can acquire loads among other things.
READ: Understanding Mobile Money in Uganda
Now that you have clearly understood what mobile money is, let us know how mobile money agents earn money and work.
Contents
General requirements needed to become a mobile money agent in Uganda
- You must have a registered Limited company that has existed for not less than one year.
- You need permanent or semi-permanent premises from which to operate, counter Layout. The map and photos of the agent premises may be needed.
- A three months Company Bank Statement
- Existing Business Turnover of at least UGX 5 Million per Month.
- Photocopies of Certificate of Incorporation, Certified Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Photocopy of Valid Identification of all Directors (making at least 50%) shareholding.
- Letter of Introduction from the Local Council
- Letter of Introduction of appointed handlers from the Director’s
- Official email and phone contacts
- Proposed outlets will be inspected by Telecom’s regional account representatives before the start of the business.
Note; The initial capital for both MTN and Airtel goes for a minimum of UGX 1,000,000 and may go up to UGX 3,000,000 based on the intended location.
Every mobile money agent earns through commission fees.
What is a mobile money commission fee?
A Mobile money commission is that money received off every mobile money transaction made by a mobile money agent. For example, if Mr X came to my mobile money shop and withdrew UGX 400,000 from a given network provider (MTN/AIRTEL), I would receive a commission off that transaction.
MTN mobile money agent commission fees structure
| Transaction bands (UGX) | Deposit (New) | Withdraw | Pay Bills for Customer (UMEME, NWSC and Africell bundles) |
| 500 – 2500 | 5% of amount | 100 | 35 |
| 2501 – 5000 | 125 | 125 | 100 |
| 5001 – 15,000 | 175 | 200 | 200 |
| 15,001 – 30,000 | 225 | 300 | 220 |
| 30,001 – 45,000 | 275 | 400 | 250 |
| 45,001 – 60,000 | 325 | 500 | 285 |
| 60,001 – 125,000 | 400 | 650 | 440 |
| 125,001 – 250,000 | 500 | 1,100 | 520 |
| 250,001 – 500,000 | 950 | 2,200 | 1,000 |
| 500,001 -1,000,000 | 1,600 | 4,400 | 2,000 |
| 1,000,001 -2,000,000 | 3,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 |
| 2,000,001-4,000,000 | 5,500 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| 4,000,001-7,000,000 | 9,000 | 8,000 | 12,000 |
For MTN airtime and bundles, agents receive 4.4% of the amount when they pay for customers. Dial *165*7# to get started.
Airtel Mobile Money Agent Commission fees structure.
According to the Twitter-Chat I had with Airtel Uganda, I was informed that the mobile money agent commission-information is not shared until one is enrolled as an Airtel money agent. Though, I can’t fail to give you a picture of their agent commissions.
Here is Airtel’s agent commission structure based on the official tweet they released on 4th October 2019.
| Transaction Bands (UGX) | Deposit | Additional earnings |
| 0 – 500 | 25 | – |
| 501 – 1,000 | 50 | – |
| 1,001 – 2500 | 100 | – |
| 2501 – 5,000 | 125 | – |
| 5001 – 15,000 | 175 | 25 |
| 15,001 – 30,000 | 225 | 25 |
| 30,001- 45,000 | 275 | 25 |
| 45,001 – 60,000 | 325 | 25 |
| 60,001 – 125,000 | 400 | 50 |
| 125,001 – 250,000 | 500 | 50 |
| 250,001 – 500,000 | 950 | 150 |
| 500,001 – 1,000,000 | 1600 | 100 |
| 1,000,001 – 2,000,000 | 3,000 | 250 |
| 2,000,001 – 4,000,000 | 5,500 | 500 |
| 4,000,001 – 7,000,000 | 9,000 | – |
MTN Vs. Airtel Mobile money Agent commission structure
From the two structures above, you can now tell that both MTN and Airtel have quite similar commission fees with slight changes.
There are of course changes lately compared to before, a time when MTN would never give you any commission for transactions less than Ugx 5,000. Airtel too would only give the agent UGX 150 in the past.
The difference shows that the mobile money agent can now earn from as low as a transaction tier of UGX 500- UGX 2500 on MTN and 0-UGX 500 on Airtel. Airtel supports transactions as much as Ugx 7,000,000, an adjustment from UGX 5,000,000. MTN which previously ended at Ugx 4,000,000 also increased to UGX 7,000,000. These slight adjustments, however, don’t make a big difference as the commissions are still intact and relatively little.
Conclusion
Before you think about joining this growing business, be sure about the market based on your preferred location. Yes, there is a mobile money agent commission per transaction, however, we don’t want you to make losses. If you have your location and market available, think about the setbacks brought by conmen. Equip yourself in terms of human capital (the person you are hiring for the mobile money agent job) and machinery (counterfeit identifier).
The mobile money agent business is still a risky venture that requires patience, vigilance/focus, and lastly great customer service.