By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, November 4, Mana: Communities in Nsanje District have hailed digital financing services, noting that such services will help to reduce incidents of theft.

Speaking on Sunday during a Village Savings and Loan (VSL) sensitization meetings on digital financing services, Eliza Ken from Ndenguma Village in Traditional Authority Malemia said the digital financing will help to protect money from armed robbers.

Ken said the digital financing services will also help to secure money for VSL groups.

“Nsanje borders Mozambique and the issue of theft is on the rise and it has been a threat for me to keep huge sums of money in my house,” she added.

Daniel Chabuka from the same village also praised the digital financing services, adding that it is instant and convenient.

"You can withdraw money at your own convenient time," he said.

Chabuka said the digital financing service is very crucial to Nsanje communities considering that the district has one commercial bank only and during month end, the bank gets congested.

"Through digital financing there is no more queuing at the bank. You can do the transaction at your own pace," he added.

The digital financing campaign in Nsanje is implemented by AC Consulting with support from the Reserve Bank of Malawi and Ministry of Finance.

AC Consulting Nsanje District Team Leader, Bridget Mhango said they are conducting road shows, meetings with area development committees and VSLs with an aim of encouraging communities to embrace digital financing services.

Mhango said the exercise is aimed at encouraging communities to make payments and sales through mobile money, online, ATM transfers and mobile banking.

“The digital financing services are cheaper and efficient. The services are also easy, faster and are available any time of the day," she added.

Mhango, therefore, encouraged communities to embrace digital financing services as the world is going digital.