Umeme, Uganda’s leading electricity distributor, has partnered with a cellular network operator Airtel to unveil a new service, known as “Umeme TouchPay,” its customers can use to pay for electricity.
The new Ugandan innovation will use Airtel’s money money system where customers will have to dial *100# to access the TouchPay system.
Managing Director of Airtel Uganda V.G. Somasekhar said the network operator is proud to partner with Umeme to enable the service.
According to Somasekhar, it costs twice as much for Ugandans to travel back and forth, braving heavy queues while struggling to pay their Umeme bills.
“But today I am happy to declare that Ugandans will no longer hustle with bill payments and will be able to save up to 50 percent in expenses when they pay their umeme bills using the ‘Umeme touch pay system’ Airtel Money transfer service is instant simple and secure,” Somasekhar said.
Airtel’s mobile phone platform will enable Umeme’s customers to access their bank accounts and transfer funds to pay their electricity bills from anywhere.
The mobile service provider’s mobile money service was launched earlier this year in Uganda and has already experienced a steady customer adoption and growth with over one million clients out of the 4 million Airtel subscribers using it.
It now has over 7,000 agents across Uganda.
The service currently allows customers to pay DSTV subscription fees and utility bills amongst many other shopping and payment options.
