Vodacom M-Pesa has expanded its International Money Transfer (IMT) portfolio to include 8 new countries from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) allowing its customers to send and receive money between Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to Hon. Stergomena Tax, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, “Vodacom allows Tanzanians with M-Pesa to send money beyond East Africa to these 8 new SADC countries. Sending to SADC countries further testifies the enabling environment that the Central Bank is putting on top of enabling Tanzanians to receive remittances from across the World directly into their mobile wallets. This is financially connecting the diaspora to their families back home while international and inter-regional trade is made even easier with mobile money”
Vodacom M-Pesa IMT journey started in 2014 by connecting with Kenya, in 2019, they had expanded allowing M-Pesa customers to send money across East Africa and receive money from over 200 countries thus making a significant contribution on incoming money into the ecosystem and growth of M-Pesa. In September 2021, they added a new feature which enables Tanzanian customers to send remittances from M-Pesa to ALL Bank accounts in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
“We pride ourselves for being enablers in the payment system ecosystem by facilitating cross border trade within the region through efficient and seamless transfer of funds, from anywhere around the globe through M-Pesa International Money Transfer Service,” said Vodacom M-Pesa journey to IMT, M-Pesa Director Epimack Mbeteni.
The expansion the IMT offering to more PAN African countries allowing Tanzanians to send & receive money from Eight SADC countries namely South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Democratic Republic of Congo.
International remittances make it possible for people and small businesses to stay connected irrespective of geography. He further pointed out that international remittances continue to transform the lives of thousands of Tanzanians through facilitating payments in education, health, and various business segments which is why Vodacom M-Pesa has aimed to continue providing a platform for the Tanzanian diaspora to effectively participate in socio-economic activities which will contribute to the overall development of the country.
