Pesapal Alternatives You Can Trust in Uganda for Payment Processing

Uganda’s digital economy continues to expand, with more businesses seeking reliable and secure ways to accept payments online and offline. Pesapal has long been a player in this space, providing support for mobile money and card transactions. However, its limitations such as integration complexity, service delays, or cost are prompting many businesses to seek alternatives that offer better support, more flexibility, or wider geographic coverage.

Here’s a comprehensive look at five Pesapal alternatives you can trust in Uganda each with its own strengths depending on your business model and scale.

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1. Elemipay

Best for: Fintechs, Cross-Border Platforms, Betting, and Crypto Businesses

Elemipay is emerging as a powerful payment infrastructure built specifically for businesses accepting and making payments in Africa. More than just a payment gateway, it functions as a full-stack payment platform enabling collections and payouts across multiple countries via one unified API.

🔍 Key Features

• Unified API for collections (mobile money, cards, banking) and payouts (banks, mobile wallets).

• Coverage across East, West, and Southern Africa – including Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, and more.

• Weekly settlements to bank accounts or USDT wallets, ideal for global-facing platforms.

• Supports high-risk and high-volume businesses, including forex platforms, betting operators, and remittance services.

• PCI-DSS certified to ensure data security and regulatory compliance.

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Pros

• True multi-country coverage with fast onboarding for African businesses.

• White-label option available for businesses needing branded payment experiences.

• Customizable for developers via REST API, SDKs, and webhooks.

• Responsive support for both startups and enterprises.

Cons

• Not designed for micro-businesses or informal traders needing manual tools.

• May require technical know-how for advanced integrations.

Use Case:

A Kenyan remittance startup expanding into Uganda and Ghana could use Elemipay to accept collections via mobile money and cards, and instantly disburse funds to beneficiaries via local bank accounts or wallets.

2. Flutterwave

Best for: SMEs, E-commerce Stores, and International Transactions

Flutterwave is one of Africa’s most recognized fintech success stories, enabling several businesses accept payments in West and East Africa. In Uganda, it offers an easy way to start accepting mobile money and card payments online, with the added bonus of PayPal support.

Key Features

• Pay with Flutterwave checkout page, optimized for both local and international customers.

• Accepts PayPal, making it a great solution for creatives and exporters.

• Storefronts, invoices, and payment links great for non-developers.

• Virtual dollar cards for managing online expenses or team purchases.

Pros

• Accepts a wide range of payment methods, including local and international options.

• Easy to use for non-technical business owners.

• Scalable for startups and growing e-commerce stores.

• Integrates with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and WordPress.

❌ Cons

• Some Ugandan users report delays in settlement of funds.

• Forex margins and transaction fees can be high on international transactions.

• Customer service can lag during peak hours.

3. DusuPay

Best for: International Merchants and Diaspora-Focused Platforms

DusuPay focuses on enabling African businesses to receive and send money across borders with minimal friction. It bridges the gap between Africa and the global market, making it easier for international businesses to collect payments in Africa and for local merchants to sell abroad.

Key Features

• Global-to-Africa payment rails: Works well with businesses based in the UK, U.S., and Europe.

• Multi-currency wallet support, making it easier to manage forex.

• Developer-friendly APIs to build custom payment flows.

Pros

• Great for diaspora-led remittances and Africa-focused marketplaces.

• Enables direct bank transfers and mobile money disbursements.

• Affordable forex rates for USD, GBP, EUR.

Cons

• Lacks consumer-facing tools like e-commerce storefronts or simple checkout buttons.

• Limited functionality for purely local businesses without cross-border needs.

4. Pegasus Technologies

Best for: Large Enterprises, Government Agencies, and Financial Institutions

Pegasus is a homegrown Ugandan fintech company known for powering large-scale transaction systems through its flagship solution PegPay. It is often used by banks, telecoms, and government institutions that require security, reliability, and high-volume processing.

🔍 Key Features

• Enterprise-grade switch for integrating banks, mobile money, and billers.

• Custom software solutions for SACCOs, microfinance institutions, and NGOs.

• Handles bulk disbursements, salary payments, and utility collections.

✅ Pros

• Highly customizable for enterprise clients.

• Trusted by regulators and financial institutions.

• Offers advanced reconciliation and reporting tools.

❌ Cons

• Requires formal contracting—no instant onboarding or DIY setup.

• Not suitable for small businesses or online shops.

• Lacks modern UI/UX for quick integrations.

5. Yo Uganda

Best for: Utility Payments, Mobile Money APIs, and USSD Solutions

Yo Uganda is another locally trusted provider specializing in mobile money infrastructure. It has served banks, developers, and service providers for over a decade with solid APIs and real-time payment tools.

Key Features

• API for MTN and Airtel mobile money collections and payouts.

• Enables airtime top-ups, utility bill payments, and bulk SMS.

• USSD platform for rural and offline user access.

Pros

• Strong mobile money integration, even in remote areas.

• USSD tools extend services to unbanked and offline populations.

• Competitive pricing and strong local support.

Cons

• Not optimized for card or international payments.

• Developer-focused—may be less intuitive for non-technical users.

• Interface and documentation could use modernization.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Pesapal Alternative

Every payment processor has its strengths, and the right choice depends on your specific business needs:

Platform	Best For	Strengths	Weaknesses
Elemipay	Fintech, Crypto, Betting, Payouts	Pan-African API, Cross-border, Secure	Technical setup needed
Flutterwave	SMEs, E-commerce, International Sales	PayPal support, Easy setup, Global reach	FX fees, delayed payouts
DusuPay	Diaspora platforms, Remittance apps	Global-Africa bridge, Forex-friendly	Dated interface, fewer tools
Pegasus	NGOs, Banks, Government, Corporates	Bulk payments, Trusted locally	No DIY setup, enterprise only
Yo Uganda	Utilities, Mobile Money-Only businesses	Mobile money API, USSD support	Lacks card/PayPal options

If you're looking for a scalable and developer-friendly alternative to Pesapal, Elemipay offers the most comprehensive solution with powerful cross-border capabilities.

Need help integrating a payment processor or exploring which solution fits your business? Reach out to Elemipay for a free consultation and discover how to optimize your payment flows across Africa.