Cameroon’s government has urged start-ups, telecommunications and payment services providers to sign with the national infrastructure switch for electronic payment, which uses USSD gateway #237# - a key component of the country’s Electronic Communications Aggregation platform rolled out last year.

Cameroon’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Minette Libom Li Likeng made the announcement in Yaounde after Afriland First Bank committed to the platform managed by state-owned Cameroon Postal Services (CAMPOST).

Camtel, MTN, Orange, Viettel and Ecobank have all adopted the platform,

Li Likeng said for start-ups, signing up for the platform will make their operations easier, faster and less expensive.

The Minister added that the platform will also ensure interoperability of standalone systems as companies will be able to provide their services across all mobile phone networks without signing contracts with individual operators.

Using a unified gateway, start-ups can also offer their services, including payments, through mobile phones and without the need for internet connection.

“This national infrastructure switch for electronic payment is at the heart of the challenges of digital and financial inclusion in Cameroon. Mobile payment technology is becoming increasingly important, especially in the context of developing economies, where low-income households and micro-enterprises do not have easy access to financial services,” said Li Likeng.