Friday, July 31, 2009

Zain, Vodacom Sign Deal for Water Bill M-Payments in Dar

The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (Dawasco) and two cellular operators have signed agreements to enable customers pay water bills through their handsets.
 
The payments will be done through M-Pesa for Vodacom and Zap for Zain. Zain said yesterday in a statement that paying the bills using mobile phones via the Zap service was as simple as sending a text message and would cost as low as Sh150.
 
Zain chief commercial officer Chiruyi Walingo said the initiative was part of the strategy to retain customers and improve services.
 
Vodacom said it would continue to work with other institutions to build on to the number of services Vodafone M-Pesa could provide to its customers.
 
Dawasco chief commercial officer Raymond Mndolwa said settling water bills had become more convenient. "Vodafone M-Pesa was introduced early last year as a money transfer service from person to person.
 
This service continues to grow and now also allows Vodacom customers to pay their utility bills, school fees, make donation payments, settle DStv subscriptions and repay loans.  "Vodacom marketing director Ephraim Mafuru noted in a statement.

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