The replacement of cash payments with mobile payments has a life-changing impact on Congolese civil servants who were previously victims of cash theft, a local bank has said.
Following the termination of cash payments by Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), payment recipients are banking for the first time, through mobiles.
The problem of superiors stealing cash from payment envelopes is a reality in poorer African countries where the average loan is a mere US$240 per year.
In some cases the Congolese Army members were paid U$5 of their agreed US$60 wage due to such theft.
“Mobile banking should put a dent into the corruption that victimised even state employees,” Raw Story reported.
According to Godefroid Sizindi, a teacher and labour union activist, promised salary raises are also more likely to be realised as the mobile banking system can prevent government corruption.
Hassan Wazni, managing director at Sofibanque, said mobile banking users are “surprised” about the benefits of transacting from a cell phone.
Whereas the majority of the population had no bank accounts previously, they are now empowered to receive fair wages with the possibility of envelope theft eliminated.
With mobile banking the 2 per cent of banking Congolese since 2011 has increased to 5.7 per cent of late.
According to Wazni, US$7 billion’s worth of transactions is now annually flowing through mobile banking.
Mobile banking services through basic, feature phones are enabled through text messages, making it simple and affordable to use.
Many shops in rural areas have also adopted to the system.
