Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries in Karonga district have expressed excitement over the introduction of E-payment of electronic payment as it will ease walking long distances to get their money.

Speaking Friday at Tirola primary school during the registration of beneficiaries’ particulars on TNM Mpamba, one of the beneficiaries Suzana Mwaungulu said in the past they used to walk long distances to get their money.

She said: “Besides, previously almost everyone in the village knew that beneficiaries were going to receive their money, which increased the chances of being robbed.

“But now no one will know that we have received money from government.”

Principle Social Welfare Officer for Karonga district Tionge Mbale said government has introduced E-payment on Social Cash Transfer in order to reduce some of the challenges the programme was facing such as delayed payment and fraud.

“Since social cash transfer was introduced in 2012 payments have been done manually thereby increasing the risk of theft and human resource from the councils. We want to deal with these challenges,” he said

TNM Mpamba General Manager Christopher Sukasuka said the e-payment is secure and effective.

He said: “Each beneficiary will be protected by a pin number which is only known by the owner of the phone number.

“Further, we assure beneficiaries from areas which experience network challenges that that we will improve the network.”

Sukasuka said they have signed memorandum of understanding with the government to pay the beneficiaries through TNM Mpamba.

He said: “This will allow us to demonstrate the capacity of Mpamba mobile money in offering cash transfer and payment solutions.

“We also take this as an opportunity to play a role in supporting the government’s agenda in spearheading digital financial inclusion.”

Social Cash Transfer programme funded by World Bank has introduced E-payment on pilot phase in Karonga in the North, Nkhota-kota in the center and Blantyre in the South.

Social Cash Transfer Programme is a social protection programme run by government targeting ultra-poor and labour constrained household by granting them support in form of cash transfer.

Story Credits: Andrew Mkonda, District Information Officer, Karonga