We noticed a funny thing while visiting Uganda this week: there are M-Pesa agents. Lots of them.  

We noticed the first two M-Pesa agents in front of the Kampala Coach bus stop near Owino Market.  Both said M-Pesa was very popular.  In fact, three people asked to use M-Pesa while we were speaking with Patrick (the man pictured above).  

It makes sense for there to be M-Pesa agents near the Kampala Coach bus stop because the bus travels between Kampala and Nairobi.  But what about agents along Entebbe Road and in major shopping centers (e.g. Wire ‘n Wireless at Oasis Shopping Centre).  

What drives M-Pesa usage in Uganda over Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, or UTL M-Sente?  More broadly, how many M-Pesa users transact while roaming?  Hundreds?  Thousands?

All the Safaricom M-Pesa agents we saw also transacted in Vodacom M-Pesa (Tanzania) and MTN Mobile Money (Uganda).  

Tell us what you think: What lessons should product managers take away from these use cases?  What about regulators?