-
Zimbabwe is pushing for mobile money interoperability as its cash problems linger
The idea of interoperability in simple terms is to enable a mobile money customer on one network’s proprietary system to send or receive money from another customer on a different network. Regulators typically want this to help boost competition, drive financial inclusion and encourage consumer usage. Network operators are less keen due to the short to medium costs as well as the fact it it reduces the need for customers to own multiple phone services to move money around.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Super Platforms in Africa: Not if, but When
Imagine low-income, rural entrepreneurs throughout Africa actively leveraging super platforms like Facebook and Alibaba to conduct all their business interactions, from customer payments to orders from suppliers. This scenario isn't that far-fetched, says BFA's Yanina Seltzer. She explains why the march of the super platforms into Africa is inevitable – and what it will mean for financial services providers, regulators, and small and medium enterprises.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Technology
-
Pakistan Post, National Bank of Pakistan sign a Memorandum of Understanding to boost digital financial services
Pakistan Post and National Bank of Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here at ECO Postal Staff College Auditorium to boost Digital Financial Services in the country through a huge network of 12,000 Post Offices countrywide as well as to achieve the target of the State Bank of Pakistan for strengthening National Financial Inclusion Strategy extending Digital Financial Services to 50% population of Pakistan by the year 2020.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
-
2017 not rosy for mobile cash in Kenya
“Months of political uncertainty affected economic activity. Many sectors did less business than usual which translated into decelerated growth in payment channels in general,” said Mr Stephen Nduati, former head of national payment systems at the CBK, who now works as an independent consultant on mobile money in Kenya.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
India’s mobile wallet companies feel the pinch of full know-your-customer guidelines
The Payments Council of India, a lobby group for mobile wallet companies, has asked the Reserve Bank of India to withdraw full know-your-customer requirements for them, claiming they would otherwise lose customers.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
-
Telco market debate could see Safaricom split into two
“As you are aware, the Communications Authority of Kenya, (CA) contracted MS Analysys Mason to carry out a competition study of the telecommunication sub-sector with a view to evaluate the competitive landscape of the market,” said the authority in a notice published in national newspapers on Friday.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Global regulators neutral on new rules for ‘hyped’ fintech
Analysts have said banks could become irrelevant as fintech firms become the “face” of financial services, a scenario Basel said seems far-fetched.
- Categories
- Finance
- Tags
- fintech, regulations
-
Google’s Tez payments app now lets users handle their utility bills and more
Google’s Tez payment service in India has gotten a major update that allows users to pay their utilities and other bills via the app.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia