Malawian commuters can now purchase bus tickets using Mpamba, a mobile money service from service provider Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM).

This follows the partnership between TNM and AXA Coach Service which seeks to provide convenience to travellers across the Southern African country.

The partnership is expected to help grow the business of both companies. It is envisaged that the alliance will result in more commuters wanting to use the AXA service and an increase in the number of TNM mobile money users. This is because people will have to register for the mobile money service to purchase tickets using their mobile phones.

In addition to buying tickets, TNM customers are also able to access all TNM products and services at designated AXA outlets across Malawi.

TNM Mpamba allows registered users to use their mobile phones to access various financial services offered by the operator. Users with bank accounts and those without can utilise the service.

TNM Head of Mobile Money Webster Mbekeane told Blantyre Newspapers that TNM customers will be able to buy airtime, register for TNM Mpamba and transact on the service all AXA outlets.

"TNM customers will buy airtime and transact on TNM Mpamba (cash in, cash out, redeem tokens) at all AXA outlets across the country making it more convenient for travelers to access our services as they wait to board the AXA buses," Mbekeane said.

According to BuddeComm, a Telecommunications and Research Consultancy company, Malawi has 36% mobile phone penetration. However, the number of registered mobile money users in the country is not known.