18 October 2019

Mauritius Telecom and PCCW Global’s HKT division have launched what they claimed is the African island’s first national mobile payment service.

The service, called My.t Money, is based on Hong Kong-based HKT’s Tap & Go mobile payment service the company operates in its home market. 

In addition to retail mobile payments, the system is designed to be integrated with a number of civic services including those related to education, transportation and social welfare.

Mauritius Telecom chief executive officer Sherry Singh said the company aimed to “positively disrupt the payments industry,” adding 200,000 customers had already signed-up ahead of launch with 1,000 merchants on the island set-up to use the service.

Payment services will be available through both smartphone applications and a platform designed for use on more basic handsets, a feature PCCW Global said would help to address the unbanked population. 

The companies said they see the move as a step toward closing the digital divide in Mauritius.