Ongoing efforts to promote the use of mobile and digital payment systems have been boosted by a renewed partnership between MTN and RwandaOnline. The two firms, yesterday, launched a joint campaign geared at promoting mobile online payment services by the telecom’s mobile money subscribers.
The 90-day campaign dubbed "Byikorere ku Irembo, Birangize na MoMo” is looking to encourage Rwandans to pay for Irembo services using their mobile phones, according to Bart Hofker, the MTN chief executive officer.
Hofker said the move would also enhance efficiency and convenience in terms of service delivery "when people are paying for government services through Irembo”. Irembo, an online platform for government services, is managed by RwandaOnline. Currently, the platform offers over 85 services, ranging from identifications certificates, passports and birth certificates to land-related services, driving licenses and health insurance, among others. The digital platform enables the public to apply for, pay and receive government services online.
Hofker said the telecom firm is support government’s push toward cashless economy by bringing more e-payment options onto the market, especially those that enable citizens to pay for government services.
Clement Uwajeneza, the Irembo managing director, said the partnership with MTN will help them remove middlemen, who were charging extra money from Irembo customers. The partnership means that MTN Mobile Money users will be able to pay for Irembo services on their mobile telephones.
The campaign follows the launch of a new e-payment service last week, Mobile Money (MoMo) Pay, targeting the business community. MoMo Pay enables the telecom firm’s mobile money subscribers to pay for goods and services using mobile wallets.
Uwajeneza said over 80 per cent of applicants seeking Irembo services get assistance from third parties. "Therefore, the thinking behind this campaign is to remove the middleman and make it possible for everyone to interface with the platform individually,” he explained.