Tigo, MasterCard simplify payment ecosystem

By ABDUEL ELINAZA

THE COUNTRY’S strategic bid for electrification of cash has enticed three partners to form a simple hassle-free but secured payment solution using Tigo and MasterCard platform.

The platform enables a customer to pay various bills by scanning Masterpass Quick Response (QR) code at a point of sale using TigoPesa app using smartphone without extra charges. Non smartphone users also can

access the service by simply dialing *150*01#.

The payment solution, the first of its kind in Sub Sahara Africa, was launched yesterday in Dar es Salaam at a time when Tigo facilitating 92 million transaction valued at 1.7tri/- per month.

Tigo Tanzania Managing Director Simon Karikari said the Masterpass QR removed the need of carrying cash or physical bank cards. “Even if you forgot your wallet at home, you can make a payment using Masterpass QR using Tigo app,” Mr Karikari said. He added that the solution has come at the right time since the telco is broadening their ecosystem.

Tigo is also connected to over 1000 billers including utility service providers and integrated with over 50 financial institutions. “We are extremely proud to be the first and only mobile operator in country to offer this service to our consumers.

“We envisage TigoPesa becoming a fully-fledged financial service provider where customers are able to perform a variety of transactions,” Mr Karikari said.

With millions of Tanzanian’s preferring to use their mobile devices to pay for goods and services Masterpass QR will provide fast, easy to use and secure way to pay for goods and services.

Mastercard Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa Mr Raghav Prasad, said they launched the solution in the country first despite to have an R&D based in Nairobi, Kenya after being attracted by the country financial inclusion policy.

“Our focus is to help Tanzania become a strong digital economic hub in Africa,” Mr Prasad said.

He said there were not running away from telcos competition in Kenya but their biggest competitor is hard cash usage in Africa. “Through the introduction of relevant technology innovation we will help displace the use of cash and create a more convenient and secure payment sector,” Mr Prasad said.

The partnership between Mastercard, Tigo and Selcom is a game changer for the country, and will help shape a new digital age of commerce in the country.

Masterpass QR is currently accepted at Puma Filling Stations, KFC, Pizza Hut Choppies and Shoppers supermarkets, JD Pharmacies, GSM Mall to name a few.