Vodacom’s M-Pesa breaks network barriers

Vodacom Lesotho has announced a major expansion of its M-Pesa mobile money service, granting access to all mobile users in the country, regardless of their network provider.

This initiative reinforces Vodacom’s commitment to financial inclusion by removing the previous restriction that required users to be Vodacom Lesotho subscribers. By eliminating this barrier, M-Pesa becomes accessible to a significantly larger segment of the population, making digital financial solutions more inclusive without requiring users to switch mobile providers.

Vodacom Lesotho’s chief executive officer, Mohale Ralebitso, highlighted the importance of this expansion: “As M-Pesa enters its teenage years, it is fitting that we extend its benefits to an even greater number of Basotho. Our vision is a fully inclusive digital future for Lesotho, and this expansion marks a significant step toward achieving that goal.”

Ralebitso further emphasised plans to leverage M-Pesa’s credit scoring capabilities to deepen financial inclusion, particularly for individuals who may not qualify for credit through traditional banks. He reiterated Vodacom’s commitment to transforming and empowering the lives of Basotho through accessible financial solutions.

The managing director of Vodacom Lesotho Financial Services, Palesa Mphunyetsane, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to removing barriers to financial access.

“To accelerate financial inclusion, we must eliminate obstacles that hinder access. Since M-Pesa’s launch in 2013, we have championed universal financial access. While this ‘All Access’ initiative is initially geared toward smartphone users, we are already working on solutions to ensure that Basotho without smartphones can also benefit from M-Pesa’s transformative power in the near future,” Mphunyetsane said.

M-Pesa’s digital channels manager, Sebolelo Polasi, explained that new users can easily and securely access M-Pesa via its user-friendly app, available on the Google Play Store. To register, users need to provide their mobile number, full name (as per their National ID), and ID number to start enjoying seamless mobile money services, including transfers, payments, and banking.

“Financial inclusion is a key driver of sustainable economic development. Equipping Basotho with the tools to save, transact, and access essential financial services is crucial for fostering economic participation and empowerment.

“By expanding access to M-Pesa, Vodacom Lesotho is actively contributing to a more robust, equitable, and digitally enabled financial landscape in the country,” Polasi noted.