Over 10,000 Rwanda tea farmers will now be able to access their earnings on phone without delays thanks to a digital payment solution launched by Tigo Rwanda, the first of its kind in Rwanda.
The tea farmers’ value chain product meant to harmonize the payment of farmers in a bid to entice them is a partnership between Tigo Rwanda and credit cooperatives (SACCOs), Access to Finance Rwanda and Wood Foundation.
“Farmers have been suffering a lot in getting their payments, the time they have been spending going to SACCOs to get their salaries is going to be reduced from 15 to 20 days to two to three days. After weighing their products they will be getting their salaries without delay,” said Philip Amoateng, Tigo Rwanda general manager.
He further added that this seamless transfer and access of finance by farmers would create convenience allowing farmers to concentrate on tea production.
“We are moving with government’s vision. we want to improve the lives of farmers using technology. Today our customers use tigo cash to buy power, and soon they will be using it to pay school fees. Our aim is to promote a cashless economy and digitalizing all our services,” he added.
“Technology eases services and promotes economic development. Coffee factory, bananas and others should join the tigo digital revolution such that they can also benefit. This launch has raised expectations as other farmers are facing the same challenges. I thank tigo for spearheading this digital revolution. I look forward to many more launches,” the Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, said at the event.
The Minister further urged the youth and private sector to be more innovative and invest in digital innovation to promote a cashless economy such that Rwanda can achieve the goal of having knowledge based economy by 2020.
