Centenary Rural Development Group Limited (“Centenary Group”), Uganda’s leading financial services holding group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei Technologies (Uganda) Company Limited to accelerate the Group’s enterprise-wide digital transformation — a move described as the most significant technology commitment in Centenary’s four-decade history.
The partnership is anchored in a shared ambition to move Centenary Group beyond conventional digitisation into what it terms “Bank 5.0” — a fully intelligent financial ecosystem powered by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and real-time data systems embedded across all operations.
Rather than a routine corporate agreement, the MoU is the outcome of a high-level benchmarking visit in April 2026, when Centenary Group’s governance and executive leadership teams visited Huawei’s global headquarters in Shenzhen, China.
During the visit, the delegation engaged Huawei’s Global Digital Finance leadership, toured advanced innovation centres, and examined banking transformation models deployed across Asia, Africa, and other global markets. It was during these engagements that the eight pillars of the partnership were jointly defined — grounding the agreement in direct experience rather than theoretical planning.
Eight-Point Transformation Agenda
The MoU outlines eight areas of cooperation, anchored on three core strategic priorities: the development of AI-driven intelligent banking systems, strengthening cybersecurity resilience, and modernising Centenary Group’s data centre and application infrastructure to support scalable growth.
The remaining pillars focus on human capital development, joint innovation, co-creation of solutions, and collaborative research — designed to ensure knowledge transfer and long-term internal capability building within Centenary Group.
Together, the framework charts a phased transition from foundational digital modernisation to full-scale digital transformation across the Group’s subsidiaries.
Impact on Customers and Financial Inclusion
Centenary Bank, the Group’s flagship subsidiary, serves more than four million customers, largely in rural and peri-urban communities across Uganda.
According to the Group, the partnership is expected to significantly enhance service delivery through faster credit decision-making, improved customer engagement systems, and more personalised financial products powered by data analytics and artificial intelligence.
For smallholder farmers, traders, and micro-entrepreneurs, the transformation is expected to translate into improved access to credit, faster transactions, and more responsive banking services, regardless of location.
Alignment with Uganda’s Digital Agenda
The agreement aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, the Digital Transformation Roadmap, and the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, all of which prioritise digital infrastructure and expanded access to financial services.
Centenary Group also highlighted its Tier 3 Data Centre in Masaka as a strategic asset that strengthens Uganda’s emerging digital infrastructure ecosystem and supports the country’s ambition to position itself as a regional technology hub.
Leadership Perspectives
Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, Executive Chairman, Centenary Group, said the partnership marks a defining moment in the institution’s evolution.
“This is the most significant partnership Centenary Group has signed in a generation. Huawei brings global technological depth, while Centenary brings a strong local mission and deep community trust. Together, we are building a system that will meaningfully transform financial inclusion for millions of Africans.”
He added that the Shenzhen visit reinforced the Group’s conviction that artificial intelligence must be embedded into institutional thinking, not treated as a standalone tool.
Mr. Fabian Kasi, Managing Director, Centenary Bank, said customer expectations were rapidly reshaping the banking landscape in Uganda.
“Customers now expect faster, smarter, and more predictive financial services. This partnership provides the technological foundation to meet those expectations and serve our current four million customers — and millions more in the future.”
Dr. Grace Ssekakubo, Chief Executive Officer, Centenary Technology Services Limited, said the MoU strengthens the Group’s internal digital capacity.
“This partnership gives us direct access to world-class expertise in AI, data governance, and enterprise modernisation at a critical stage in building the Group’s shared technology backbone.”
Mr. Zhang Hao, Country Managing Director, Huawei Uganda, said Uganda’s financial sector is among the most dynamic in the region.
“Centenary Group’s commitment to financial inclusion aligns strongly with Huawei’s global experience across thousands of financial institutions. We are committed to bringing those lessons to support this transformation.”
About Centenary Group
Centenary Rural Development Group Limited is Uganda’s leading financial services holding group, with investments in banking, technology, insurance, and community services. Its flagship subsidiary, Centenary Bank, is Uganda’s largest microfinance-oriented commercial bank, serving more than four million customers nationwide. Founded in 1983, the Group is guided by Christian values and a mission to extend sustainable financial services to rural and underserved communities.
About Huawei Technologies (Uganda)
Huawei Technologies (Uganda) Company Limited is a subsidiary of Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd., a global provider of ICT infrastructure and smart solutions. Huawei supports digital transformation across public and private sectors and has partnered with thousands of financial institutions globally, including leading international banks and technology providers.
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