NEW ONLINE SERVICE TO EASE PAYMENTS IN TANZANIA HOTELS

Vodacom Tanzania’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations, Ms Rosalynn Mworia (centre), speaks to reporters (not in the picture) during the launch of the Vinjari web-based service yesterday. She is flanked by officials from Vinjari, Managing Director, Andrew Mboma (right) and Manase Bandula (left).

Dar es Salaam. Vodacom Tanzania yesterday launched an online payment service through the Vinjari web-based platform which enables local businesses registered under Vinjari.co.tz to receive payment online from the purchase of services via M-Pesa.

The service enables travellers to book and pay for hotels, tour package and flights.

The Vinjari.co.tz platform has over 300 hotels and partners around the country.

Vodacom Tanzania’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations, Ms Rosalynn Mworia, said at the launch of the new service that the entry of M-Pesa into the online space was a landmark move that would see more than a million M-Pesa customers in the country access the online shopping.

“This service is different from M-Pesa’s current payment services that require users to use their mobile phones. Online traders will need an M-Pesa pay bill number,” said Ms Mworia.

Vinjari Managing Director, Andrew Mboma said M-Pesa online payment through Vinjari provided customers with a chance to purchase services online.

Customers select the items they want to pay for and pay with M-Pesa. The total cost for the items purchased online is deducted from the customer’s M-Pesa account. The customer only needs to key in his or her mobile number and will receive a notification on the mobile phone to validate the transaction using their PIN.

This online service will leverage the deep penetration of the mobile phone and the proliferation of internet services to ease shopping for customers while allowing merchants to match their goods and services directly to consumers. An estimated 28 million Tanzanians have mobile phones, while about 6 million have access to the internet.