By Kingsley Jassi:
Local technology company Efashe has developed an innovative electronic airtime top-up solution that is creating employment opportunities while addressing regulatory changes in Malawi’s telecommunications sector.
It has transpired that Efashe has established a network of 500 agents across multiple districts, with plans to expand coverage and potentially create thousands more jobs.
The company is also in discussions with additional utility service providers to broaden its digital credit service platform.
The company’s operations manager William Phoya revealed that the company had already signed agreements with major telecommunication service providers to offer electronic airtime purchases, effectively replacing traditional scratch cards.
“We started last year and have been growing gradually. The opportunities we have created mean we have come as an answer to the problem of scratch cards going obsolete. Our platform, additionally, enables electricity credit purchases, creating a comprehensive digital service ecosystem,” Phoya said.
He emphasised the platform’s importance to mobile phone users who have no mobile money account and reequire alternative airtime purchase methods.
Frank Chawinga, a musician known as Che Wikise, is among the super agents involved in wholesaling digital credits to local retailers.
The initiative emerged following Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra)’s directive to phase out physical scratch cards by December 31 2024.
The regulatory move is premised on saving foreign exchange, reducing environmental waste and promoting electronic recharge platforms.
0 Comments