• Talkio Mobile teams up with Interswitch to boost nationwide service adoption

• Access to over 20,000 Quickteller agents extends commercial reach

• Partnership follows earlier deal with Banana Life Investments

Talkio Mobile, a Ugandan mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), has partnered with payment solutions provider Interswitch to accelerate the adoption of its services across the country.

The partnership gives Talkio Mobile access to more than 20,000 outlets in the Interswitch Quickteller agent network, strengthening its commercial reach. Initially, customers can buy call and data packages at these locations. In the medium term, SIM card acquisition and mobile money transactions will also be available through these points.

This agreement comes about six months after Talkio signed a distribution deal with the Banana Life Investments store chain. Launched in September 2024, Talkio is working to gain ground in a market of 48.6 million people, 65% of whom own a mobile phone, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The Ugandan Communications Commission (UCC) reported 55.6 million mobile subscriptions in 2024, including 43.2 million active ones.

Mobile internet subscriptions stood at 22.3 million, and the ITU recorded an internet penetration rate of just 10%. To grow its user base, Talkio must compete with dominant operators like MTN and Airtel. MTN leads the market with 22.03 million mobile subscribers and 9.3 million internet users.

Talkio also faces competition from Lyca Mobile, another MVNO, which surpassed one million subscribers in July 2024—four years after its launch. Talkio’s strategy focuses on offering personalized services tailored to Ugandan consumer needs.