By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, October 30, Mana: Traders across Thyolo District are urging customers to adopt e-payment methods, as it is convenient as well as reduce the risk of handling huge sums of cash.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) during the Digital Financial Services (DFS) awareness campaign currently underway in Thyolo, Junis Kalikasa, a grocery shop owner at Mphande Trading Centre in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Nsabwe expressed his support for digital payments, saying it streamlines their operations, allowing them to serve more customers with ease.

“With e-payments, I no longer struggle to find change, which used to slow us down. Even customers feel safer carrying less cash, especially in crowded markets," said Kalikasa.

He said they still face resistance from some customers because of lack of knowledge on how it works; hence, the need for more civic educate activities to reach out to more people with the messages.

An agricultural supplier at Gombe Trading Centre in the area of T/A Thukuta, Amin Jassi praised mobile wallets for their convenience, especially for rural customers who travel long distances.

“Many farmers worry about theft when they carry cash, but with mobile payments, they just bring their phones,” Jassi said.

He added that digital transactions have also made it easier to keep track of sales, benefiting his business overall.

At Luchenza Town, a shop owner Justin Mwaluza noted that e-payments reduce common cash-handling issues, including presentation of counterfeit notes as well as damaged currency.

“E-payments have made transactions much easier, especially on busy days when I do not have to worry about fake notes or damaged notes which is common here.

"The problem with damaged currency affects our businesses because normally when we take it to the bank; they give you half the value of the money you are exchanging,

“Some customers even use mobile credit to buy now and pay later, which helps me maintain steady sales," said Mwaluza.

Mwaluza, however, emphasized on the need for service providers to improve on network issues as it its intermittent supply affects payment.

The campaign's District Team Leader for Thyolo, Dr. Ella Kangaude said the campaign is focused on raising DFS awareness among merchants and the public, aiming at increasing adoption in rural areas and enhance usage in urban communities.

“We are working towards educating consumers and merchants on the benefits of DFS. Our goal is to increase public trust in these digital services and help people understand the security and convenience they offer," said Kangaude.

Kangaude added that the campaign also aims at addressing several barriers to DFS adoption, such as the uneven availability of agent banking networks, understanding customer due diligence and promoting transparency on product pricing and complaints handling.

“Through this campaign, we want to build awareness of the risks and ensure consumers know about the protection guidelines available to them,” she added.