Public transport cashless payment scheme launched in Rwanda

Public

Tap and go

from PHYLLIS BIRORI in Kigali, Rwanda
KIGALI, (CAJ News) A NEW public transport cashless payment solution has been launched in Rwanda following a partnership between two technology companies.

The South African-listed Altron, through its Rest of Africa (ROA) operations, has partnered with Rwanda’s Pascal Technologies to provide the seamless and integrated payment system for motorcycle public transport services.

Altron is supplying the infrastructure comprising of payment terminals, GPS devices and mounting units, while Pascal Technologies is supplying the software application that enables mobile money transfers and tap-and-pay payments. The terminal enables payments while the GPS device calculates distance and the fee payable by motorcycle passengers.

The initial rollout is for 10 000 units, valued at about RWF 2 billion (R31 million/ US$2,1 million) and is envisaged to increase to 36 000 devices valued at RWF 18 billion (R279 million/$18,9 million).

Ike Dube, Altron ROA Managing Director, said while they were excited about the commercial opportunity for Altron ROA, they were particularly pleased to be contributing towards Rwanda’s 2020 Vision through job creation and innovation.

“This is our first significant foray into the country, and we will continue to explore the extension of this solution into other territories,” Dube said.

Pascal Ndizeye, Pascal Technologies founder and Managing Director, said the deal would help the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority progress towards the country’s broader national goal of having a cashless society.

“This is also aligned to a cabinet decision to monitor motorcycle operators for safety purposes. The business opportunity is vast,” Ndizeye added.

The East African country has more than 50 000 motorcycle operators transporting commuters, with each operator clocking up to 50 trips a day.

– CAJ News

scroll to top