Maynard Coffman 
Asaak, the Ugandan fintech startup, announced on May 20th that it had raised $30million to support the acquisition of motorbikes and smartphones for Ugandan taxi operators. This funding round comes at a crucial time for the fintech industry in Uganda,as it marks the entry of a new and ambitious player to the market.
In this article, we will look at Asaak’s role in the Ugandan fintech scene, and how it could potentially revolutionize the market.
Overview of the Ugandan Fintech Scene
The African continent is a rapidly growing FinTech market, with countries like Uganda at the forefront of the revolution. Many developments in investments and funding initiatives have been seen in past years, demonstrating sustained upward growth within the sector. Uganda is one of the most advanced countries in this regard, making it an attractive area for investors to consider.
The Ugandan Fintech scene has grown significantly over the last decade, which has had a positive effect not just on businesses but individuals too – free and low cost financial services are being made available and access to cheaper banking services. FinTech start-ups across the country are also taking advantage of digital mobile technology and launching innovative products that provide efficient payment solutions and easy access to credit facilities which have enhanced financial inclusion.
One of these companies is Asaak, which helps power cost-effective digital transactions across Uganda through its platform focusing on mobile money transfers and payments and loan disbursements to small businesses and individuals. Asaak recently raised $30million during its latest fund raise round led by Merlin Digital Investments Ltd., with additional investments from various partners including Quest Ventures plc., Lateral Capital Adventures (LAC) ,Ubuntu Edge Investment Group Ltd., BomaTec Investment Partners Ltd., Inflection Technology Ventures International plc (ITVIP) , Africa Bullish Securities Ltd., Haversham Capital Ltd., Keensight Capital AG and Ekila Investment Partners plc.. The funds were used for acquisitions such as motorbikes and smartphones by taxi operators who had difficulty accessing traditional banking systems – a key factor in Asaak’s ability to rapidly expand across Uganda.
What is Asaak?
Asaak is a fintech startup operating in the Ugandan market, founded in 2017 by Viktor Koodunov and Henry Mbaguta. Its main mission is to provide an efficient payment solution to small and medium-sized businesses in the East African Economic Community (EAC) countries. Asaak’s technology enables electronic transactions to be conducted quickly and easily with access to multiple mobile wallets for payments, deposits, lending and other digital banking services.
The company has partnered with several leading banks within the EAC, such as Deustche Bank AG, Standard Bank Group Ltd., Equity Bank Ltd., and Barclays Africa Ltd. respective of the country operations. In 2018, Asaak raised US$30 million in its Series A funding round from two undisclosed investors to drive its acquisition of motorbikes and smartphones for use amongst Ugandan taxi operators. This capital injection has enabled Asaak to launch its revamped app with new features that allow customers to book rides effortlessly using multiple wallets across different platforms and easy money transfers through banking channels of their choice (USSD code etc.).
Ugandan fintech Asaak raises $30million to support acquisition of motorbikes, smartphones by taxi operators
Asaak, a Ugandan startup, has recently acquired motorbikes and smartphones that have been helping the local Ugandan fintech scene. With the raised $30 million, Asaak will help support transportations for taxi operators to make their work more efficient.
This article will discuss the importance of Asaak’s role in the Ugandan fintech scene.
Asaak’s $30 million raise to support acquisition of motorbikes, smartphones by taxi operators
Asaak, a fintech company in Uganda, recently raised $30 million in debt and equity financing to support the acquisition of motorbikes, smartphones and other equipment by taxi operators. This move makes them one of the major contributors to the growth of the Ugandan fintech industry which is set to make a mark on the economy and benefit consumers in many ways.
The money raised by Asaak will be utilized for growing vehicle fleets for ride-hailing services such as Taxify, Uber, Safeboda and Little Cab. It will also help provide these operators with credit services so they can acquire various assets used in their businesses more quickly at an affordable rate. This financing strategy shows Asaak’s commitment towards providing economic opportunity for Ugandans who currently don’t have access to traditional funding channels.
Asaak’s raise of $30 million is geared towards achieving universal financial inclusion — increasing access to credit through sustainable means — and safeguarding consumer welfare by making it easier and faster for them to acquire motorbikes, smartphones or other necessary items engaging in ride-hailing services. In addition, this fund will benefit Ugandan vehicle owners and their customers, as this would improve the service standards of hailing apps across the country.
Thus, Asaak’s investment will not only improve mobility across Uganda but also deliver massive growth opportunities for fintech players in innovation, product development and financial inclusion as well as help businesses (such as ride-hailing) scale up significantly along with creating new jobs all over Africa — thereby playing a major role in changing lives everywhere.
How Asaak is helping to drive financial inclusion in Uganda
Asaak is driving financial inclusion in Uganda by raising $30 million to support and facilitate the acquisition of motorbikes and smartphones for taxi operators. The company envisions a future for Ugandan citizens free from poverty, illiteracy, and dependence, with access to the same services and opportunities in other countries.
Over the past year, Asaak has spearheaded efforts in fostering innovation within the Ugandan financial technology (fintech) sector. It has offered various incentives to startups looking to innovate in its field while encouraging more technologists to get involved in production of fintech solutions. For example, since it raised money last year, Asaak has successfully connected transactional banks with mobile app developers so that taxi operators may deploy back-end solutions quickly. Further, Asaak’s investment arm provides funding and strategic advice — such as setting up an operational team — to fintech-focused startups.
Notably, Asaak deepened its commitment to advancing financial inclusion in Uganda last month when it opened a $30 million fund for taxis around Kampala and other cities in Uganda that would enable taxi drivers to use digital solutions for their services taking passengers from one place to another securely. Phone-to-phone payment systems have already been implemented by leading telecom companies like MTN partnering with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB). Thousands of taxi drivers have already upgraded their skills since getting financing from Asaak.
Asaak’s initiatives are producing tangible results: revenues are increasing for participating entrepreneurs; opportunities are created for job seekers; automobile industry boosted due increased demand; traffic congestion reduced; safety improved through roof flashing lights on taxis; economic opportunity increased through mobile money services used by 150% more individuals than six months ago; community access fostered via online payments; digitally marketed undercutting Uber dominating market before coronavirus pandemic reached Africa continent across middle part of 2020 calendar year while many citizens were making extra money providing rides on ever familiar motorbikes “boda bodas” thanks to diligent work coming from high up circles within Nigerian government helping everyone ride high off flourishing investments recognizing potential rewarding those adopt officially certified methods switching over leveraging latest technology ensuring everyone legally carries out ones own showmanship daily enabling better standards guarantee smoother processes characterized dual existence varying acts interdependent sharing ride nothing close limiting possibilities exploration lying far limitless reach prospects affording possibility focus serving society bringing energy pushing ahead till end connect prompting us reconsider sharing personal information allowing us create sensible decisions thank everything done opens connections otherwise closed improving lives reap endless reward creating lifelines hope so favorable outcomes someone gets rewarded something else rewarded creating room many enriching cascading effect locks unlocked liberation noticed urging one seek independence fail imagine will result happier life naturally worth pursuit.
Impact of Asaak on the Ugandan Fintech Scene
Asaak, one of the leading fintech companies in Uganda, recently raised $30million to support the acquisition of motorbikes and smartphones by taxi operators in Uganda. This funding is seen as a major milestone in the Ugandan fintech industry, and is expected to have a long-term impact on the development of the fintech scene in Uganda.
We will explore the implications of this funding and the role that Asaak is playing in ushering in a new era of fintech innovation in Uganda.
Increased access to financial services
As a result of Asaak’s $30 million capital injection into the Ugandan fintech scene, the number of Ugandans with access to financial services has increased. This is the direct result of Asaak’s proposed subscription plans and programmes to enable taxi operators to acquire necessary motorbikes and smartphones and join the digital payments revolution. With a surge in demand for digital payments, businesses now have an opportunity to expand their reach in different parts of the country. Additionally, it has opened up opportunities for technology providers and financial institutions to develop innovative products to close financial inclusion gaps.
The capital injection also means that consumers now have more access to various forms of banking such as mobile money, convenient loan options, insurance covers and other related services through online, mobile or in-store channels. With these improved access options, households can better manage their finances in a smart and secure manner. In addition, the new program also allows merchants to accept digital payments without using cash or delay processing payments due to inadequate liquidity or intermittent power outages. This ultimately leads to more convenience for customers and increased efficiency in business transactions particularly those done digitally.
In summary, accessing finances via digital means has become easier due largely in part by Asaak’s $30 million investment into Uganda’s digital finance space — improved consumer experience as well better access are just some of the added benefits that this capital injection has had on business owners and consumers alike; allowing them greater freedom when managing resources leading towards more security and convenience than ever before.
Improved customer experience
The Ugandan fintech space is rapidly growing as tech-enabled companies seek innovative ways to solve everyday problems. Among these prominent players is Asaak, a leading mobile payment platform that recently raised $30 million to acquire motorbikes and smartphones for taxi operators.
Asaak has successfully revolutionized customer payments experience, with its mobile-first approach facilitating easy transactions between customers and merchants. This philosophy has enabled faster payments, reduced transaction fees, boosted customer engagement and improved customer experience.
With its newfound wealth of capital, Asaak plans on deepening its operations by delivering greater convenience to users by introducing contactless payments across all platforms. The addition of smartphones and motorbikes to the Ugandan market also means customers can order a cab without having to call or run around looking for one. Such an initiative improves customer experience and boosts merchant loyalty while reducing costs incurred on visits or trips.
The availability of electronic payment systems, merged with accessible transportation solutions, provides an all-inclusive package that would bring comfort, convenience and cost-effectiveness together in one product – something that cannot easily be found in the traditional banking system. In this way, Asaak will help revolutionize the Ugandan retail market from within, which would positively impact businesses across different sectors within Uganda in no time!
Increased competition in the market
Asaak’s recent injection of $30million into the Ugandan fintech market is creating seismic waves throughout the industry. With this influx of capital comes increased market competition. New, smaller players are drawn to the market with promises of disruptive digital technologies, while established players are upping their game to stay competitive.
This additional competition has improved customer experience and created a more price sensitive and informed consumer base. Customers now have more choices than ever regarding fintech services, including international offerings such as PayPal, TransferWise and other digital wallets that allow easy cross-border payments. The increased number of options provides customers more affordable and reliable products globally.
Ugandan operators have also taken advantage of Asaak’s influx of capital by purchasing motorbikes and smartphones at reduced costs for use in their service operations. This ability is providing these firms with new pathways for growth that would previously be unavailable due to the high cost of entry into this market segment.
The Ugandan fintech industry is growing rapidly and is likely to continue expanding in 2020 with more innovative solutions poised to enter the scene thanks largely in part to venture capitalists such as Asaak investing in the country’s budding startups. The resulting increase in competition makes it an exciting time for consumers and service providers looking to capitalize on emerging opportunities offered by this dynamic landscape.
Conclusion
Asaak’s successful $30 million fundraising round has provided a much-needed inflow of capital and resources to the Ugandan fintech sphere, enabling the acquisition of motorbikes and smartphones by taxi operators to provide them with more efficient mobility means. This illustrates the need for and reliability of Asaak and ability to close the gap between their customers and digital infrastructure.
Now that we’ve discussed the impact of Asaak on the Ugandan fintech scene, let’s look at the conclusion.
Summary of Asaak’s role in the Ugandan Fintech Scene
Asaak, a fintech company based in Uganda, plays a key role in the country’s fintech landscape. Asaak provides motorbikes and smartphones to taxi operators across Uganda, allowing them to offer digital payments within their services. In October 2020, Asaak closed a $30 million funding round, including investments from reputable international investors. Asaak will use this capital injection to support more drivers and taxi operators across Uganda with the opportunity to accept digital payments.
The injection of capital also allowed Asaak to continue its mission of providing ridesharing and delivery solutions that are reliable, safe, and efficient for all Ugandans. This is accomplished by leveraging modern technology such as eSIMs and smartphones that Asaak is providing to drivers nationwide. By using these tools, drivers can access more efficient routes and better customer service solutions — enhancing both efficiency and driver experience.
In addition to its investment in hardware resources for taxi operators in Uganda, Asaak is also contributing towards creating a digital adoption mindset among Ugandan citizens. By launching financial literacy campaigns tailored for consumers and merchants, Asaak inspires people nationwide to adopt digital payment solutions when making everyday transactions with traditional merchants or taxi operators or carrying out ridesharing trips with other individuals within the system.
Asaak’s success since inception can be attributed largely due to the company’s focus on creating innovative ways for commercial drivers in Uganda to grow their businesses with modern technologies such as AI-driven routing software as well as simMSM (sim cards for mobile money) services that allow users access money on their mobile phones anytime necessary without attracting fees like traditional bank services do – key elements of its growing prevalence in a challenging market environment where few other companies have been able penetrante successfully. With this $30 million funding round closed recently paving way for further expansion across Africa continent-widely ,Asaaks’ role in the Ugandan Fintech scene has become more pivotal than ever.
Impact of Asaak on the Ugandan economy
Asaak is a Ugandan fintech company that raised $30million in April 2020 to support acquisition of motorbikes and smartphones by taxi operators. This has had far reaching implications on the overall Ugandan economy.
First, it has enabled the taxi operators to expand their operations within reach of a far larger customer base through smart phones, given that having a strong online presence can increase efficiency and patronize customers for these transportation providers.
Second, research shows that when businesses are afforded access to innovation institutions like Asaak Inc., their socio-economic impact upon communities tends to grow exponentially in terms of patronage and income levels, subsequently enhancing economic growth nationwide.
In addition, as more motorbikes are obtained and maintenance services are improved through this funding, more employment opportunities have been created – reducing the unemployment rate while contributing towards poverty alleviation initiatives – eventually leading to greater financial inclusion among citizens.
From this perspective, it is clear that Asaak’s role in the Ugandan fintech sector can continue to play an important role in driving economic transformations for many years.
About Author
Simone Reed 
Steven Schuster 
