Uganda Funds Keep 31,000 Students in School

Why this is here: Moses Sizom, Director of Ebony High School, reported that flexible financing helped prevent his school’s closure and has since doubled student numbers.

Furaha Finserve Uganda Ltd, Cairo Bank Uganda, and SchoolPay are supporting over 31,000 learners in Uganda with direct-to-school digital loans. The “EduBridge” platform delivers school fees instantly to school accounts via mobile phones, aiming to reduce misuse of funds and build trust. Roughly 5,000 schools—about 30 percent of the network—currently use the system.

The initiative responds to increasing financial pressure on schools, driven by a shift to a skills-based curriculum that requires more resources. Hajjat Zauja Ndifuna Matovu of Mbogo Schools notes this new curriculum is resource-intensive for both schools and families. Cairo Bank Uganda intends to reach one million learners through this and other education financing products.

However, only around 30 percent of school fees are paid at the start of each term, creating ongoing challenges for schools. Experts caution that the lending model’s long-term viability requires responsible lending practices and financial literacy. The partners continue to refine the system and expand its reach.