← Embedded Finance Index 2026

Xente

“Can a Uganda-licensed, Africa-first payments platform become the all-in-one financial OS for businesses operating across African markets?”

Founded2014
HQKampala, Uganda
IndustryFintech / SMB banking
The story

Founded in 2014 as a digital financial services platform for African businesses, Xente has evolved from a basic payments tool into a full-stack business finance platform covering collections, payouts, card issuance, treasury, and a Merchant of Record offering. Licensed by the Bank of Uganda as both a Payment System Operator and Issuer of Payment Instruments, Xente serves as the infrastructure layer for businesses seeking to collect and disburse money across Africa via mobile money, bank transfers, cards, and cash agents. The MOR product signals a move toward serving global merchants that want to sell into Africa without establishing local legal entities.

Last 12 months
—
Product timeline
2014
Xente Tech Limited founded in Kampala, Uganda as a fintech for African businesses.· pivot
2020
Obtained Payment System Operator and Issuer of Payment Instruments licenses from the Bank of Uganda.· banking
2023
Launched multi-currency business accounts with Visa debit card issuance (virtual and physical).· card
2024
Launched Merchant of Record (MOR) service for global merchants entering African markets.· banking
2025
Introduced Treasury & Liquidity product with FX, bridge financing, and multi-currency settlement via partner bank.· banking
Regulated entities
2
regulatory licences held by Xente
Licence types, jurisdictions and registered entities are in the Embedded Finance Index report.
The stack
2 layers disclosed in Xente’s embedded-finance stack
Card network
Visa
Lending
in the full report
Accounting gap: significant
1 more provider across 1 layer, with confidence-scored evidence and source URLs, are in the Embedded Finance Index report.