Mastercard has collaborated with the
Zanzibar e-Government Agency (eGAZ) to support and accelerate its ambitious
digital transformation journey. This will allow different sectors across the
Zanzibar islands, including tourism, to digitize payments which will
significantly contribute to robust economic growth.
The signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) took place at the launch of the Zanzibar Digital Government
Strategy for 2023-2027, led by H.E Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of the
Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
The agreement is the first MoU
signing by Mastercard aligned with Zanzibar’s digital transformation goals laid
out in their Digital Economy Blueprint and Roadmap. The strategy's main
objective is Zanzibar’s transformation into a strong digital economy which will
secure digital systems, drive innovative information, communication and
technology solutions and develop training for digital governance, ultimately
reshaping public services.
Under the three-year collaboration,
Mastercard will provide technical assistance and expertise to support the
Zanzibar government's efforts. This includes setting up a digital
transformation team, collaborating with the government's payment portal
ZanMalipo to enable digital payments, and launch two million government cards
for better access to services and tourism.
“The
like-minded collaboration between Mastercard and the Zanzibar e-Government
Agency will help power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone,
everywhere in Zanzibar. It is a testament to the profound impact of
digitization and builds on Mastercard's global experience in enabling digital
transformation and demonstrating the value of fostering cross-sector collaboration,
fuelling economic growth and facilitating financial and digital inclusion,” said Shehryar Ali, Country Manager,
East Africa, Mastercard.
Mastercard solutions will include the
Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MPGS) which enables merchants to accept a
wide range of payment methods, including mobile payments, credit cards, and
e-wallets, and highlight the several consumer benefits on Priceless.com to
further drive economic development.
The leadership of the Revolutionary
Government of Zanzibar is engaged in creating an enabling environment for a
pan-African digital economy; one that would spur innovation, trade and
investment in the United Republic of Tanzania and the wider region.
“This
collaboration affirms our commitment to harnessing innovative technologies for
service delivery enhancement. We believe that by working with Mastercard, a
trusted partner, we can significantly accelerate the realization of our digital
strategy and provide invaluable benefits to our citizens,” stated Said Seif Said, Managing
Director, Zanzibar e-Government Agency (eGAZ).
Development of a fast and secure
digital infrastructure for the delivery of services to citizens, tourists and
the business community remains Zanzibar’s immediate focus with plans to
position the island as a major player in the pan-African trade transformation
journey. The ultimate beneficiaries of these initiatives are consumers, who
will enjoy a more seamless, efficient, and inclusive digital environment.