JSE-listed technology company Altron, through its Rest of Africa (ROA) operations, has partnered with Pascal Technologies to provide a seamless and integrated payment system for motorcycle public transport services in Rwanda.

According to a statement released to the media, in terms of the deal, Altron is supplying the infrastructure comprising of payment terminals, GPS devices and mounting units, while Pascal Technologies is supplying the software application that enables mobile money transfers and tap-and-pay payments.

The terminal enables payments while the GPS device calculates distance and the fee payable by motorcycle passengers.

Altron ROA managing director Ike Dube said, "We will supply hard-wearing, cost effective devices, while Pascal Technologies will provide the software solution to facilitate mobile-money and bank card transactions, which will enable seamless payment for motorcycle transport services by commuters, thus transforming their everyday experience."

Pascal Technologies founder and managing director Pascal Ndizeye added, "The deal will help the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority progress towards the country's broader national goal of having a cashless society. This is also aligned to a cabinet decision to monitor motorcycle operators for safety purposes. The business opportunity is vast. Rwanda has more than 50,000 motorcycle operators transporting commuters, with each operator clocking up to 50 trips a day."

The initial rollout is for 10,000 units, valued at about RWF 2-billion (R31-million) and is envisaged to increase to 36000 devices valued at RWF 18-billion (R279-million).

"While we are excited about the commercial opportunity for Altron ROA, we are particularly pleased to be contributing towards Rwanda's 2020 Vision through job creation and innovation. This is our first significant foray into the country, and we will continue to explore the extension of this solution into other territories," said Dube.

In October 2019, ITWeb reported that Altron is targeting R100-million from its recently-signed software licensing partnership with Microsoft.

Earlier this month, Microsoft named Altron as a licensing solution provider in SA.

The agreement is said to have come as Altron positions its recently-acquired subsidiary, Altron Karabina, to be the go-to partner for everything Microsoft, said Nyati when the deal was sealed.

The announcement came after the US-based software giant cancelled its software licensing contact with IT services firm EOH.