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Tonderai Rutsito Techspot
Lack of a clear policy framework on Zimbabwe’s mobile money has become a cause of concern for the sector, which has had to rely on self-regulation resulting in an unfair playing field and protracted battles. Speaking during the recent mobile money and digital payments conference and awards, Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Supa Mandiwanzira said there is need for inter-operability among players and sharing of resources.

He added that there was need for transparency in declaring investments in the ICT infrastructure as some players are claiming large investments which are not tallying with the actual amount of tax paid.

“These loopholes are a clear sign that we will continue firefighting as long as the Government does not lay out a clear policy on the trending technologies which in most cases have caused operators to be loggerheads,” he said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the mobilemoney conference and awards ceremony, technology expert and analyst Mr Pumula Khanyile said that the responsible authorities need to be proactive and stop being reactive to technological changes if there was to be progress in the country.

“Zimbabwe is always reacting to the technological changes and trying to play catch-up on issues of policy as the responsible authorities have often been caught flat-footed,” Mr Khanyile said.

Previously Econet was at loggerheads with local banks as the company refused to open up its EcoCash mobile platform, a move which saw the banks ganging up against it, before the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe intervened.

The most contentious issue was now on sharing infrastructure where some operators with more infrastructure are not comfortable with sharing it.

Another issue raised was the lack of security for mobile money subscribers as these are not covered by the Depositors\ Protection Corporation.

Meanwhile, six companies received awards in six categories during the conference.

Best mobile money and digital payments award — Telecoms sector

Nominees were TeleCash, EcoCash and One Wallet

Winner was EcoCash

Best mobile money and digital payments award — Banking Sector

Nominees were CBZ, POSB, Steward bank and FBC

Winner was CABS

Most comprehensive and innovative package award — Payments

Nominees were Nettcash, EcoCash, Cabs and Steward Bank

Winner was Nettcash

Best mobile money and digital payments award — Merchant

Nominees were Edgars, TM, Chicken inn, OK Zimbabwe and Spar

Winner was Ok Zimbabwe.

Best mobile money and digital payments award — Billers

Nominees were Zesa, TelOne, MultiChoice, Nyaradzo Group

Winner was Zesa.

Best E-Commerce solution provider award

Nominees are Payserv, ZimSwitch, Afrosoft and Paynow

Winner is ZimSwitch

The adjudicators were Mr Pumula Kanyile, Mr Garainashe Changunda, Mr Takunda Mugaga, Mrs Rosemary Siyachitema, Mr Shame Makoshori, Mr Brains Muchemwa and Mr Tonderai Rutsito.

TechnoMag is Zimbabwe’s premier technology magazine. More in-depth from www.technomag.co.zw. Follow us on our social platforms Twitter: @TechnoMagZw, Facebook: www.facebook.com/technomagzw