South Sudan has launched its first mobile money service platform under the brand name M-Gurush.

The service represents a partnership between mobile phone operator Zain Telecoms South Sudan and local tech firm Trinity Technologies.

It is licenced by the Bank of South Sudan and the National Communications Authority.

Authorities are hoping the service will help foster financial inclusion in a country where a large number of the population remains unbanked.

South Sudan's Minister of Information, Communications Technology and Postal Services Michael Makuei Lueth said "the initiative will help create employment opportunities for the youth in rural and urban areas."

Deputy vice president of Trinity Technologies Joseph Alinaitwe said the service will enhance faster transactions in the country and help reduce the cost of moving funds between people, government and businesses.

The management of M-Gurush will actively pursue partnerships with the government to ensure ease of access to affordable financial services, he added.

"The platform provides consumers with a robust offering of products that cuts across service payments, airtime purchases, cash in- and cash and money transfer services," Alinaitwe said.

A representative from Zain Telecoms Sudan, Victor Omonmdi said the mobile money service was not being introduced to replace banks, but rather assist in providing access to digital solutions for rural communities