Lack of clear policy framework on mobile money worries sector Minister Supa Mandiwanzira
Minister Supa Mandiwanzira

Minister Supa Mandiwanzira

Tonderai Rutsito Harare Bureau
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 recently held mobile money and digital payments conference and awards, the Minister of ICT Postal and Courier Services Supa Mandiwanzira said there is need for inter operability amongst 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’ll continue firefighting as long as the government doesn’t 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 Mobile money conference and awards ceremony, technology expert and analyst 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 seldom been caught flat footed,” Khanyile said.

Previously Econet were at loggerheads with local banks as they refused to open up their EcoCash mobile platform, a move which saw the banks ganging up against them, 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 Depositor’s Protection Corporation.

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

 

You Might Also Like

Comments