Zimbabwean subscribers on Econet Wireless' mobile money platform, EcoCash, will now be able to buy and send groceries to their friends and relatives under a partnership with grocery manufacturer and wholeseller, National Foods.

Econet launched its EcoShopper offering on 24 March 2015, saying it will help people overcome hurdles in buying groceries for their relatives, especially those in rural areas.

Natalie Jabangwe, an EcoCash executive said the service was the first such offering in Africa. It is backed by an Ecoshopper application that is already available on Google Play and which will also go live on Apple Store in two weeks time.

"Groceries can be bought from the phone or from the website Ecoshopper.co.zw

"There is also an Ecoshopper application on Android. In two weeks the application will be available on Apple Store," Jabangwe said.

The EcoShopper service has various basket options ranging from $20 to $150. A representative from National Foods said the new arrangement will add value to mobile money users and grocery purchasers.

Recipients of the groceries receive a text message on their mobile phones and take it to any National Foods depot across the country to access the groceries send by their relatives.

"The sender is charged the same tariff for the amount as when sending money. There is no collection fee for those receiving the groceries," she said.