Rwanda promotes use of information and communication technology (ICT) in all spheres of life, including e-commerce systems that support a cashless economy. This has forced many enterprises and institutions to embrace ICTs, doing away with traditional ways of business transactions. 

Electronic commerce is one of the services that facilitate buying and selling of products online. With the growth of e-commerce in the country, some firms are working to digitise their payments. Equity Bank Rwanda has, for instance, partnered with a regional online payment service provider, 3G Direct Pay Limited, to roll out an e-commerce initiative that will allow customers to pay for different services online.

Paul Sewe Omany, the ICT and channels manager at Equity Bank Rwanda, said the facility will enable people to pay for a service in Rwanda from wherever they may be. Equity Bank joins Bank of Kigali and I&M Bank that have been providing such services in Rwanda. "The service connects sellers or business to customers and enables people to book a flight, accommodation and other services, like paying school fees,” Omany said at the launch on Friday.

He added that the initiative is in line with the government effort to promote ICT and the country’s vision toward a cashless society. He noted that the facility provides payment convenience and will help to eliminate fraud.

Christophe Nkurunziza, the founder of Yubeyi, an online shopping company, said his firm looks to adopt online payment.

"Customers have been buying or selling products, but could not pay online. So, this will enable us to provide online payment services.”

Eran Feinstein, the managing director of 3G Direct Pay, said the company is working with the central Bank to promote online payment. "With the increase of mobile phones and computer users, people should abandon time-consuming practices and go online,” he added.