Tigo Rwanda has launched its own automated teller machines product that will see its customers purchase airtime and send money.
According to The New Times, the Tigo-Matic ATMs are the first of its kind in Africa and Rwanda specifically. This service will extend money transfer and aritime purchase to thousands of its clients across the country.
“This is a smart innovation that promotes the digital lifestyle we want Rwandans to adopt,” said Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the youth and ICT minister. “I would like to thank banks and telecom firms for partnering to ensure we move towards a cashless and paperless economy with financial inclusion.”
Diego Camberos, the firm’s chief executive officer, added that the new services which are now installed in two centres, Muhima and Nyabugogo service centres would offer convenience to customers.
“Implementing this solution is part of our strategy to meet the ever growing expectations of subscribers,” Camberos said.
The Tigo-matic ATMs will also enable clients to conduct a SIM swap and receive their cards on the spot.
Rwanda has a mobile penetration rate of about 55 percent by March this year. Rwanda’s population is about 10.5 million but is steadily rising in implementing innovation and technology in all its sectors.
Earlier in March, Jean Baptiste Mutabazi, RURA’s (Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority) head of Communication and Media Regulation attributed the increase of use of ICT in Rwanda, especially in the mobile phone sector to cost effective measures. A cheap phone in Rwanda could cost Rwf 8,000 (US$12) and this is affordable to the majority.