PUMA ENERGY, SELCOM AND MASTERCARD PARTNER TO INCENTIVISE DIGITAL PAYMENTS

Selcom Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Baguma Ambari (left) demonstrates paying using Mastercard QR at the launch of #BombaWeekends a joint campaign between Puma Energy, Selcom Paytech LTD and Mastercard that looks to reward patrons with up to 5% cash-back when they fuel at Puma's 52 filling stations and pay using Mastercard QR. Looking on is Selcom Executive Director, Mr. Sameer Hirji (second left) and Puma Tanzania Managing Director, Mr. Dominic Dhana.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Puma Energy, Selcom and Mastercard in continued collaboration have launched a joint campaign themed on “Bomba Weekends”, that looks to reward consumers with up to 5% cash-back when they fill up at Puma Energy stations and pay via Mastercard QR.

The campaign will run for 11 weeks, every Friday through Sunday from 4-6pm rewarding customers who choose to go cashless across Puma’s countrywide network of 52 filling stations. Besides the consumer reward objective, the campaign looks to bolster the government’s efforts in formalising payments and transforming the country’s cash driven economy to a cashless economy while supporting Tanzania’s financial inclusion objectives.

Bomba Weekends cash-back mechanics run on Qwikrewards points, a loyalty-driven reward solution developed by Selcom that allows Mastercard QR users to accumulate points irrespective of the digital channel that they pay with. With Qwikrewards, users can directly redeem their accumulated points at over 30,000 locations countrywide that accept Mastercard QR payments when they dial *150*15#. Mastercard QR in itself has made significant strides since its introduction into the Tanzanian market in mid 2018. Consumers from all 7 mobile networks and 15 banks in the country can pay at any Mastercard QR location.

In his comments during the launch event, Puma Energy Tanzania CEO, Mr. Dominic Dhanah said, “Bomba Weekends is positioned to drive consumers to purchase fuel at our locations using the easiest, quickest and most secure payment method available and in the process collect Qwikrewards points from Puma. With this partnership, it is evident that we are an industry leader when it comes to adoption of innovative payment solutions that provide payment flexibility and an overall the best Puma experience when they visit us.”

Selcom’s Executive Director, Mr. Sameer Hirji, had an optimistic outlook on the drive towards a cashless economy stating that front runners need to add value to their customers to accelerate the adoption of digital payments. He states that, “Bomba Weekends with Puma Energy and Mastercard aims to reward individuals who aspire to go cashless for their purchases. In that realm fuel forms a significantly large proportion of their monthly spend. We believe that the more accessible and seamless we make cashless payments the more confident customers will become about leaving their homes without carrying cash. With Qwikrewards and 30,000 Mastercard QR accepting merchants nationally we believe we are leading the change and making significant strides toward the country’s formalised payments and financial inclusion objectives.”

Adam Jones, Area Business Head for Mastercard East Africa, said: “Mastercard remains fully committed to delivering solutions that build inclusive ecosystems and consequently drive a cashless society. The most effective way to ensure the continued evolution of products and services that develop robust and resilient digital payment systems is by forging strong partnerships, such as this one with Puma Energy and Selcom. We are confident that this initiative will not only offer customers a safe, reliable and cashless payment option at every Puma Fuel station across the country, but also support the country in its efforts to move beyond cash. “