Tech

Kenya’s VIPASO partners Interswitch East Africa to launch mobile money payments

Published

12 months ago

December 29, 2023

Kenya’s payment solutions platform, Vienna Payment Solutions (VIPASO), has entered into a partnership with Interswitch East Africa Limited aimed at enhancing payment solutions for banks, hospitality industry players, on-the-go services, financial institutions, and retailers in the country.

CEO of VIPASO Kenya, Matthias Horvath, who announced the partnership, said in a statement:

“We are honored to partner with Interswitch East Africa (Kenya) Limited on our mission to make VIPASO technology available to everyone, everywhere.

“We started VIPASO with a goal to make POS (point of sale) payments simple, reliable, safe and universal. The partnership with Interswitch marks significant progress towards achieving this goal.

“VIPASO’s mission is to deliver accessible financial services around the world. We are delighted to partner with Interswitch East Africa (Kenya) Limited to deliver upon that mission and offer new innovative payment options for the region.

“VIPASO marks a significant leap towards bridging gaps in the payment industry, setting a new standard for secure, convenient, and inclusive financial transactions in the East African region.”

Also speaking on the partnership, Romana Rajput, Interswitch East Africa (Kenya) Limited’s Country General Manager, said the “synergistic alliance introduces VIPASO, an innovative solution comprised of two distinct applications – a consumer app and a merchant app.

“The VIPASO solution utilizes Bluetooth low energy connectivity and offers an alternative payment method for consumers in scenarios where traditional card or mobile phone payments are inconvenient or hindered by unreliable internet connectivity.

“The solution not only addresses operational inefficiencies but also aligns with the overarching goal of enhancing financial inclusion in the East African market, offering a reliable, accessible, and efficient payment solution for businesses and consumers alike.”

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Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation