Safaricom’s Lipa Na M-PESA Targets Fuel Outlets During Festive Season

Safaricom has announced an instant rewards system to incentivize customers who pay for fuel using Lipa Na M-PESA. With over 134,000 motorists having already received free talk time on the Safaricom network for every purchase of fuel worth Sh500 or more, the consumer incentive plan highlights the growing use of M-PESA as a payment channel.

Exim goes Deeper in Digital Banking

In its efforts to escalate its suite of mobile services, Exim Bank Tanzania has launched an application designed for smart phones. The application is currently available for Android, Windows, Black Berry and IOS Operating Systems. Exim Bank Group Head of Operations, Mr Eugen Massawe, said in a statement that the mobile app offers secure banking

Online Shopping Becoming Popular in Tanzania

University students can now acquire knowledge on e-commerce and how to open virtual shops and boost their sales thanks to an initiative from a local online shopping platform, Kaymu. According to a statement made available to the ‘Daily News,’ the initiative dubbed ‘Kaym University’ comprises six sessions which cover the basics of Kaymu, account and

Digital Payments in East Africa (Part I): Card Payment Alternatives

Kenya and East Africa are actively transitioning to cashless payments systems. East Africa’s economies are largely cash based informal economies with its associated costs. Challenges in aggregating national transaction data, consumer spending patterns, tax administration – there is really no shortage of incentives. “With no means to track sales, little data is available, and channels

Tanzania Women Bank Offers Banking Programmes to Several African Nations

Entrepreneurs from Somalia, South Somaliland and South Sudan were in the country for training on banking industry operations. The training provided by the Tanzania Women Bank (TWB) was aimed at helping them to learn about operations of the banking industry so as to be able to establish financial institutions in their countries. Speaking during the

NCR Installs First-ever ATM in Somalia

NCR Corporation continues to deliver consumer transaction technologies and financial services around the world by installing Somalia’s first-ever automated teller machine (ATM) in Mogadishu, the East African country’s capital, with Salaam Somali Bank. “We are excited to bring the first ATM to Mogadishu. The installation serves as a sign of hope for the city as

PesaCalc Launched to Help Kenya’s Mobile Money Users Save Money

Kenyan mobile app company Mobile Matrix has released PesaCalc, a free Android app that helps mobile money users in Kenya save money when using mobile money services. “PesaCalc helps Kenya’s mobile money users prepare exactly the right amount to send with the options of sending to registered and unregistered users, as well as including the

NMB Embraces Plastic Money Payments

Mastercard and National Microfinance Bank (NMB) have agreed to roll out 1.5 million MasterCardpayment cards in a move aimed at reducing cash dependence and enhance financial inclusion. As a result of the partnership, NMB will issue secure EMVChip and PinMasterCard prepaid, debit and credit cards over the next seven years. The cards will feature MasterCard’s

Vodacom has Launched an Online Payment Service Through Vinjari Platform

M-Pesa, Vodacom Tanzania’s flagship has launched an online payment service through the web-based platform of Vinjari which will allow local traders registered under Vinjari.co.tz to accept online payment for the purchase of services. The service allows travellers to book and pay for hotels, tour package and flights. Vinjari.co.tz platform has over 300 hotels and partners

European Investment Bank Extends a € 50 Million SME Support Credit Line to Equity Bank

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a € 50 million credit line to Equity Bank to facilitate onward lending to Small and Medium Enterprises across the region. Speaking at the signing of the facility, Equity Bank Group Managing Director Dr. James Mwangi said, the funds received will be commercially advanced to eligible SME players