Zimbabwean telco Econet Wireless has entered into a business deal allowing taxis to accept mobile money offering EcoCash for transport payments.

Using EcoCash means commuters do not have to carry cash on them.

And so far, more than 200 commuter omnibus operators are on the new system, while Econet plans to roll out the plan countrywide before the end of the month.

Rangarirai Mberi, Econet Wireless communications manager, said that the new system has thus far been proving popular with EcoCash users.

"The service, which began a week ago, has proved very popular and Econet plans to have the majority of kombis accepting EcoCash before the end of the month," he explained.

"The use of EcoCash for payment is very simple and is done in a matter of seconds. Almost 2 million Econet customers are using EcoCash to send money," he continued.

Econet Wireless has also announced that businesses that accept payment in EcoCash would be able to exchange it for cash at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe approved banks.

Mberi said hundreds of companies have already signed agreements to take EcoCash payments, which they can cash in at TN Bank. Other banks were expected to offer the service within two weeks.

"We are working to get all banks on board by the end of October," added Darlington Mandivenga, a senior executive at the company.