Botswana’s transport and communication ministry says the number of mobile money users in the country has increased by 300% since 2011, when the service first hit the market.

Official data from the ministry highlights that the figure of registered mobile money users in Botswana is now pegged at 283, 000.

Government has applauded the development.

“Unbanked persons can now receive and send money at their own convenience,” said the transport and communications ministry in a statement.

With only a population of two million, Botswana’s volume of mobile phone subscriber was last pegged at 3.08 million in 2012.

Mobile money services were first introduced in June 2011 by Orange Botswana, followed by the market leader, Mascom wireless.