Mastercard in partnership with M-KOPA Solar and Centenary Bank, celebrated the first 'pay-as-you-go' QR transaction this week, officially launching the initiative, which provides a simple and inexpensive way to power the homes and businesses of Ugandans. M-KOPA, which already provides affordable, safe and clean energy to three million people in East Africa has launched Mastercard's Quick Response (QR) payment technology in Uganda to facilitate and extend the reach of its groundbreaking pay-as-you-go solar program. The launch of the program took place in Entebbe and was attended by Ajay Banga, president and chief executive officer of Mastercard, who made a special visit to Uganda to be part of the milestone ceremony. According to the United States Agency for International Development, Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in Africa, at 22 percent for 2017.