Betty Atim is a mobile money agent in Lira district, in Northern Uganda. Betty’s kiosk is a go-to place for all people in her village who want to transfer money, conduct their business over the phone or even buy airtime.

As a soon to be mother, the steady income she gets from this business is very important to her. Yet, beyond making an income, Betty says it is her responsibility to ensure that the business is operational because many people in her village rely on her for their day to day transactions.

“Sometimes the mobile network goes off and I have to walk 28km to access float. Customers have to wait for me for so long,” she says.

As most services provided via digital platforms (in agriculture, energy, health, education) are built on the rails of digital financial services, rural communities like Betty’s are often left without access to digital solutions that can improve their wellbeing.

With the support of the Sweden Development Agency (SIDA), UNCDF is implementing the Inclusive Digital Economy program in Uganda geared at ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital era. The program has specific focus on empowering rural communities, smallholder farmers, agri-business and refugees - to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access and usage of digital services.