MTN MoMo, the mobile money arm of Africa's largest mobile operator, has partnered with Ugandan fuel station operator Stabex International to launch a rewards program for motorcycle taxi riders, known as boda bodas, in a bid to expand everyday digital payments. The initiative, announced on May 5, 2026, will see boda riders earn points for fueling their motorcycles at Stabex stations using MTN MoMo, which can be redeemed for airtime, data bundles, or cash.

The partnership directly targets Uganda's vast boda boda sector, a critical component of the country's transport economy with an estimated 1.2 million riders. By incentivizing digital payments for fuel, MTN MoMo and Stabex aim to deepen financial inclusion among riders and their passengers, creating a digital payments loop for a common daily expense. "This partnership is about embedding MoMo into the daily lives of Ugandans," said an MTN Uganda spokesperson. "Boda riders are at the heart of our communities, and by rewarding them for using MoMo, we encourage a shift away from cash for essential services."

This move is part of a broader strategy by MTN Group to solidify its dominance in Africa's fintech space, where its MoMo service operates in multiple markets including Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. In Ghana, MTN MoMo is pursuing an initial public offering, with its CEO outlining plans to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange to raise capital for further expansion and product development. The Ugandan rewards program reflects a similar focus on driving transaction volume and user engagement through partnerships with merchants in key informal sectors.

Stabex International, with over 100 service stations across Uganda, provides the physical network for the initiative. The company stated that integrating with MTN MoMo aligns with its goal of offering convenient payment solutions to its customers. Industry analysts note that such partnerships are increasingly common as fintechs and telecoms seek to lock in customer loyalty by embedding their services into high-frequency, low-value transactions, from transport to retail.

The success of the program will depend on uptake among boda riders, who often operate on thin margins and may be sensitive to transaction costs. MTN and Stabex have not disclosed the specific point conversion rates or whether any transaction fees are waived for participants. The initiative enters a competitive landscape where other mobile money providers and fintech startups are also vying for dominance in Uganda's digital payments ecosystem, which has seen steady growth since the launch of pioneering services over a decade ago.