In a significant move aimed at revolutionizing the education sector, Ecobank Uganda has partnered with SurePay, a leading digital payment platform, to streamline school fee payments and improve financial management for educational institutions across the country.
The partnership was officially launched at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala, where officials from both organizations unveiled a secure, user-friendly, and cost-free digital platform designed to simplify transactions between parents and schools.
Elizabeth Mwerinde Kassedde, Head of Commercial Banking at Ecobank Uganda, represented the Managing Director Grace Muriisa at the launch. She emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration, noting its potential to foster customer-centric service delivery and financial stability in the education sector.
“Today, Ecobank and SurePay come together to enhance convenience and efficiency in school payments. This partnership supports digital financial solutions that will significantly transform the education ecosystem,” said Kassedde.
The new system offers automated reconciliation, real-time student record updates, and greater access to financing for schools. As part of the initiative, Ecobank has committed shs1 billion to support school asset expansion and working capital, with a special focus on women-owned institutions.
Kassedde also noted the broader impact of the initiative on society, highlighting that education leads to more informed and economically empowered communities. “Educated societies are more likely to support the vulnerable and contribute to national development. This partnership is a step toward achieving that,” she added.
Ecobank aims to onboard 300 new schools to its banking network this year through the SurePay partnership. This effort is expected to boost financial inclusion and mobilize substantial deposits, thereby expanding the bank’s national footprint.
SurePay, which currently serves over 4,000 schools in Uganda, brings deep experience in managing digital school ecosystems. CEO Moses Okiror expressed gratitude for the partnership with Ecobank and reaffirmed his commitment to digitizing school operations across the country.
“We are fully committed to this mission—to ensure that every school in Uganda has access to digital payment systems through Ecobank,” said Okiror.
He explained that the SurePay platform allows schools to offer multiple payment channels, including the Ecobank Mobile App, QuickTeller via Interswitch, over-the-counter services, and ABC Agents across Uganda. These diverse options are designed to ensure convenience and inclusivity for parents and guardians.
The system also introduces unique student codes for easy payment tracking and real-time fund transfers directly into school Ecobank accounts. Schools can immediately access these funds to maintain smooth operations.
Beyond payments, SurePay enables automated academic management, including the generation of report cards for students from Nursery through A-Level, enhancing transparency and communication with parents.
The launch event drew participation from educators and school administrators, many of whom welcomed the innovation as a timely solution to long-standing administrative and financial challenges in the education sector.