Multinational financial services provider Mastercard and Tanzania’s second largest mobile operator Tigo have just announced that Masterpass digital wallet is now available to users of Tigo Pesa, Tigo’s mobile money service.
Tigo Pesa Masterpass QR (Quick Response) removes the need to carry cash or physical bank cards and allows to pay for in-store purchases by scanning the QR code displayed at checkout with the app installed in smartphones, or by entering an 8-digit merchant code into a feature phone.
“We are extremely proud to be the first and only mobile operator in Tanzania to offer this service to our consumers. This innovation has come at the right time as we are broadening our Tigo Pesa ecosystem. We envisage Tigo Pesa becoming a fully-fledged financial service provider where customers are able to perform a variety of transactions. With millions of Tanzanian’s preferring to use their mobile devices to pay for goods and services Masterpass QR will provide them with a fast, easy to use and secure way to pay for goods and services,” says Simon Karikari, Managing Director, Tigo Tanzania.
Raghav Prasad, Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard said, “Our focus is to help Tanzania become a strong digital economic hub in Africa, and through the introduction of relevant technology innovation we will help displace the use of cash and create a more convenient and secure payment sector. 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 Tanzania.”
Masterpass QR is now accepted at various stores and other acceptance locations across Tanzania including Puma Fuel Stations, KFC and Pizza Hut outlets, Choppies and Shoppers supermarkets, JD Pharmacies, and multiple shops at the GSM Mall.
Tanzania Mobile Money
Tanzania is one of the world leaders in mobile money transfers (mobile phone-based money transfer), with a total of 21.9 million subscribers.
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