Ireland Minister hails Mpamba
By Frank Phiri, contributor:
Ireland Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Sean Fleming has commended the partnership Irish Embassy has with TNM Mpamba in improving livelihoods through the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
TNM Mpamba, a subsidiary of listed TNM plc, provides the mobile technology platform which enables access to mobile cash wallets to unbanked people in rural areas.
Speaking at Kapalamula School, Traditional Authority Nsamala, in Balaka District during a tour of the Mtukula Pakhomo project, Flemming said the Irish government, which is funding the project, is satisfied with the security and convenience that TNM Mpamba offers to beneficiaries.
“I am impressed to see cash being disbursed using mobile phones because, in other countries we visit, beneficiaries get their funds through hard cash. However, the process here with Mpamba is fast, safe, and secure as beneficiaries get what they are seeing,” Fleming said.
Fleming said mobile money technology is contributing positively to financial inclusion and mobile penetration.
TNM Mpamba General Manager Chris Sukasuka said the innovation is contributing towards attaining aspirations in Malawi 2063.
Sukasuka added that, through the project, Mpamba is contributing positively to the economy.
“This is enabling Mpamba to create more jobs and business opportunities as well as improving mobile telephony technology penetration in the rural areas,” he said.
According to TNM Mpamba Limited, e-payment for social cash transfer on the platform is being implemented in 15 districts across the country.
Under the social cash transfer initiative, the Irish government is supporting more than 25,000 households in Ntcheu and Balaka districts.
Social protection programmes are being implemented by the Malawi Government through the ministries of Local Government and Gender and Social Welfare.
