Zambian telecommunications services provider Zamtel has partnered with payment processing services provider Kazang to enable Zamtel customers to access services at all Kazang outlets across the country.

The partners have integrated their respective platforms and this will enable SIM cards to be registered at any Kazang retail outlet or kiosk, and customers to purchase airtime or pay for utility bills.

The Kazang network includes over 9 000 locations nationally.

Zamtel CEO Sidney Mupeta said such partnerships are fundamental in the development of an efficient mobile money ecosystem and that access to digital finance is a right to be enjoyed by all.

Mupeta said: “We believe that financial inclusion for all Zambians can only be achieved through partnerships with stakeholders. We continue making strides in our mission to ensure financial inclusion and this partnership with Kazang will greatly accelerate the provision of financial services to the unbanked.”

Kazang Zambia managing director Leon de Wit said the partnership will increase access points for financial services thereby increasing financial inclusion.

“Kazang is not only delivering financial inclusion in urban and rural areas but also increasing financial literacy by bringing more people into the mobile money market thereby improving their livelihood,” said de Wit.

Zambia’s minister of Finance Dr Bwalya Ng’andu said recently that at 59.3%, financial inclusion in the country was still low and urged collaboration among financial service providers.