Humanitarian Payment Digitisation: Focus on Uganda’s Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement

Uganda hosts the world’s fastest growing refugee population - today, the country hosts over 1.3 million refugees. In northern Uganda, the mobile industry and humanitarian sector have collaborated to deliver humanitarian assistance to refugees via mobile money. This has resulted in savings in logistical costs, while also giving refugees greater dignity and choice. Such partnerships are a first for mobile network operators in Uganda who are rapidly adapting their mobile money services to meet the needs of their humanitarian partners.

This case study offers insights into the business models, modalities and operations involved in two mobile money humanitarian cash transfers projects in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, in northern Uganda.