EcoCash expands merchant channel partnerships

EcoCash, Zimbabwe's leading financial technology platform, says it has further widened its merchant strategic channel partnerships with nation-wide supermarket chains, pharmacies, service stations, formal and informal retail outlets, to offer multicurrency (US-dollar and ZWL) mobile transactions to customers across the country. In a move it said is designed to provide public convenience and improve the customer experience of its consumer and business users, EcoCash said it is offering multiple payments solutions, including the payment of utility bills, merchant transactions, remittances and salary payments – over and above peer-to-peer US-dollar money transfers.EcoCash said it has partnered with leading supermarket chains OK Zimbabwe, TM Pick n Pa, and Spar Zimbabwe, to offer customers cash-in and cash-out US dollars services, while customers shopping at over 400 retail stores country-wide can also pay for their groceries using their EcoCash US dollar wallet. “We are excited that our merchant partnerships have brought great convenience to customers living in towns and villages across the country, giving them easy access to digital payment platforms and cash, through our safe, reliable and convenient platform,” EcoCash said in the statement.“By utilising our platform, customers can conveniently settle their utility bills, including the ZESA electricity bills, water bills, and other essential services, from the comfort of their homes, without the need to physically visit the bill payment centres, or stand in long queues,” the company said.It said customers can purchase airtime directly from their mobile phone, and be able to make international payments, such as paying for their DStv, Netfliz or Facebook, among many other payment options. It added that employers and employees can also use EcoCash's secure channels, to make and receive salary payments. “By leveraging our platform, organisations can disburse salaries and wages to their employees in a timely and secure manner, benefiting both the employer and employee,” EcoCash said. It said its partnership with money transfer companies, such as SasaiRemit, Mukuru, Western Union, WorldRemit, and MoneyGram, was helping create customer convenience and spurring economic growth by driving inbound remittances into Zimbabwe.