By partnering with NuovoPay, Angaza can now lower last-mile distributors’ risk of selling smartphones on the pay-as-you-go financing model. NuovoPay’s remote locking technology for smartphones enables distributors on the Angaza sales solution to monitor payments and take action accordingly, helping them de-risk device financing. By providing opportunities for distributors to confidently lease smartphones, low-income individuals in emerging markets can access smartphone technology at lower upfront costs.

The deal will see smartphone distributor lease out Android smartphones to end-users without the need for an underlying credit score or banking history. End users are also able to use their leased Android smartphones by paying a monthly fee.

Angaza’s partner distributors can send out payment reminders to Android smartphones and keep track of upcoming payments on the Angaza platform. If the end-user misses their monthly payment, access to the smartphone is remotely blocked using NuovoPay’s remote locking technology. This serves as a remote recovery mechanism for leased devices. End users can continue using the smartphone after the payment is completed.

The two aim to further their mission to increase accessibility of smartphone technology in emerging markets, while emphasizing financial inclusion for low-income consumers who lack access to a conventional credit system.

Such a partnership is welcome as smartphones are used for a myriad of activities including trade, banking, finance, education and communication. However, due to costs, an average household in Africa does not have access to multiple digital devices, and affordable smartphones are often the most cost-effective way to access the internet and enable e-learning. The partnership will enable distributors to make devices available and affordable in a majority of last-mile and remote markets as low-income individuals can purchase a smartphone on an installment program.