Jovago.com has announced the incorporation of TigoPesa, one of the region’s major mobile money transfer services. This partnership gives the customer yet another option for efficiency on top of the available card payments and pay-on-arrival model. “ Africa is definitely moving on to the digital world, as part of this move we want to take in consideration the local market demands and habits, thus structure our strategies in response to the needs, said the Managing Director- Estelle Verdier, “
TigoPesais East Africa’s first cross-border money transfer with currency conversion and an app for the same. It’s evident that most interesting developments are taking place in mobile technology. Commenting on the integration of TigoPesa with Jovago, Tigo Head of Mobile Financial Services RuanSwanepoel said: “We are delighted to join hands with Jovago to give the customers of our two companies the convenience of paying for their hotel accommodation from the convenience of their mobile phones. This partnership is in line with our strategy to promote digital lifestyle among our customers.”
Verdier also explained that, in addition to the convenient payment methods Jovago currently offers the largest inventory of hotels in Africa and negotiates hotel rates on behalf of the customer to ensure customers find their ideal accommodation at the Best Price.
It’s important to note that during the last Quarter of 2014, Tanzania registered a 2.6% growth in mobile penetration, a notable rise from the previously recordedgrowth of 2.0%. Tanzania now has a total of around 28 million mobile phone subscribers, representing a mobile penetration of 63 percent.
According to a World Tourism Report, East Africa is the most successful and prominent location for mobile payments,with Kenya taking the lead at 80% – of its adult population adopting mobile payment.
In conclusion, Verdier underlined that currently over 30% percent of visits to jovago.com are channeled via a mobile device. In such context mobile payment integration is a key driver in the growth of this industry.
This is not the first time both companies have been involved in a common project.Jovago.com and TigoPesa are both supporters of UNICEF’s Passport to Life an initiative that seeks to have every African child obtain official birth registration. When booking on Jovago customers are given the opportunity to support birth registration (5$ per booking donated to UNICEF) at no extra cost.