KAMPALA, Uganda — Network International, a leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa, has partnered with Dubai-based carrier flydubai to introduce a new mobile money payment option for customers in Uganda and Kenya.

The partnership, announced Monday, will enable flydubai customers in Uganda and Kenya to pay for flights using mobile money services such as MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, and M-Pesa when booking online or through the flydubai mobile app.

Sudhir Sreeditan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said the partnership is part of the airline’s commitment to investing in innovative solutions.

“We are pleased to have partnered with Network International and reaffirm our longstanding commitment to investing in the latest technologies and innovative solutions,” Sreeditan said. “Since launching our operations to Entebbe in 2014 and Mombasa in 2024, we have seen growing demand from these markets, reinforcing the need for more accessible and seamless payment solutions for our customers.”

Judy Waruiru, Regional Managing Director for East Africa Acquiring at Network International, said the partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing customer experience.

“With East Africa being a leader in mobile money adoption, integrating this payment option into an international airline underscores the power of strategic collaborations in advancing localized digital payments,” Waruiru said. “We are bridging global travel with familiar, seamless payment solutions, which not only improves the customer experience but also sets a precedent for expanding digital solutions across the region.”

Network International provides a full suite of technology-enabled payments solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes, including acquiring and processing services and a comprehensive range of value-added services. The company currently serves over 50 countries across the Middle East and Africa region, including more than 40 African markets.

flydubai, which operates a network of more than 130 destinations in 55 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia, has built a growing network of destinations in Africa. The carrier is served by a young and efficient fleet of 88 Boeing 737 aircraft.

The partnership is expected to expand to other markets in Africa, including Tanzania, in the future.