KAMPALA, Uganda — Equity Bank Uganda has unveiled a new digital banking platform aimed at transforming how businesses manage their finances, in a move regulators say supports the country’s accelerating shift towards a digital economy.
The “Equity Online for Business” platform, launched on Wednesday in Kampala, replaces the bank’s earlier EazzyBiz system and introduces a more integrated, real-time financial management ecosystem for enterprises.
Officials from the Bank of Uganda welcomed the rollout, describing it as aligned with national priorities to deepen digital financial services and modernise payment systems infrastructure.
Dr Twinemanzi Tumubweine, who presided over the launch, said the platform represents a significant evolution in business banking.
“From what has been presented, this is not just a platform but a solution that brings convenience, speed, 24/7 accessibility, and enhanced security to customers,” he said.
However, he cautioned that full reliance on internet-based systems introduces operational risks, urging businesses to plan for connectivity disruptions by postponing non-essential transactions when necessary.
The launch reflects a broader strategy by Equity Bank Uganda to reposition itself in a fast-evolving financial landscape, where businesses increasingly demand seamless, always-on banking services.
Executive Director Claver Serumaga said the platform was developed in response to changing client expectations.
“Business today demands speed, reliability, and seamless integration. Equity Online for Business brings together all key financial tools in one place to meet these demands,” he explained.
The bank has significantly upgraded its infrastructure over the past year, including relocating its data processing centre from Nairobi to Kampala and deploying new enterprise-grade servers supported by HP to improve system performance and resilience.
“With these improvements, we are better positioned to match current banking trends where transactions are faster and value chains are closely linked,” Serumaga said.
The platform allows businesses to execute a wide range of operations in real time, including account management, supplier payments, payroll processing, bill settlements, and cross-border transactions.
It also introduces enhanced financial management tools such as multi-currency tracking, automated transfers, and real-time analytics, features designed to improve cash flow visibility and decision-making.
Additionally, the system provides advanced administrative controls, enabling organisations to manage user roles independently while strengthening security through one-time passwords, token authentication, and multi-level approval workflows.
Serumaga emphasised that modern banking must move beyond legacy systems to remain competitive in a digital-first economy.
“Banks cannot continue operating on outdated systems,” he noted, adding that the platform enables accountants and finance teams to process salaries, reconcile accounts, and manage transactions remotely without visiting physical branches.
“This is not just an upgrade to internet banking. We rebuilt the platform from the ground up, backed by significant investments in technology and infrastructure to give businesses the speed, control, and reliability they need,” he concluded.
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Echoing this, Immaculate Asiimwe highlighted the platform’s real-time capabilities.
“We are giving business owners full control to manage operations in real time. Upload files, pay salaries, approve international transfers. Everything you need is done instantly with no waiting or back-office delays,” she said.
Equity Bank confirmed that all its business clients will be migrated to the new system, signalling a full transition to the upgraded digital infrastructure.
The rollout comes amid rapid growth in digital financial services across East Africa, driven by increased internet penetration, mobile money adoption, and regulatory support for cashless transactions.
Analysts say such platforms are becoming critical in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
