Ericon and Rwandan Government collaborate on financial inclusion

Collaboration to support greater financial and social inclusion for all Rwandan citizens through new information technology and software.

Government of Rwanda enacts clear financial and payment services policies to create a neutral, interoperable and viable market place properly supported by the Ericsson Interconnect Solution

Rwanda aims to become Africas first truly digital economy, leveraging on Ericsson M-Commerce Interconnect for seamless financial services

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for Rwanda have signed a breakthrough agreement for the launch of a national interoperability switch based on the Ericsson M-Commerce Interconnect solution. The solution will enable financial and payments services providers in the country to connect to one common platform for seamless and real-time payment transactions. This agreement represents another step in Ericssons commitment to building the necessary global infrastructure for a new open digital economy.

Peter Heuman, VP and Head of M-Commerce for Ericsson, says: Africa has been a main driver for innovative mobile financial services. Ericsson M-Commerce Interconnect advances existing efforts by seamlessly linking banks, mobile operators, money transfer organizations, and payment and financial services providers - making the promise of true financial inclusion achievable. The work we are doing with the Government and people of Rwanda on this initiative is imperative for the country and region and we look forward to continued collaboration with countries throughout Africa and globally to build upon these important efforts.

This agreement supports the Government of Rwandas objective to create a digital economy and drive greater financial and social inclusion for its society and citizens. Ericssons Rwanda Interconnect Switch (RIS) will connect financial and payment services providers within the country and enable end-users to enjoy, in real time, a range of digital payments possibilities across all financial platforms and service providers. Further, the inclusion of informal sectors such as savings cooperatives and micro finance players in the ecosystem allow previously excluded citizens to participate in mainstream financial services, thereby increasing financial inclusion.

Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Rwanda: Mobile payment technology has the potential to advance financial inclusion and help people build savings while giving government, as well as the private sector, a more cost-effective, efficient, transparent and safer means of disbursing and collecting payments. We are happy to be partnering with Ericsson on this.

Ericsson M-Commerce Interconnect links Rwandan financial stakeholders to create a real-time, irrevocable financial transactions processing solution with 24/7 availability. Ericsson will also lead on-boarding and integration of Rwanda payment service providers and financial institutions. The Rwanda Interoperability Switch is expected to be operational by early 2017.

Fredrik Jejdling, Head of Region, Sub-Saharan Africa, Ericsson, says: More inclusive mobile financial services solutions could directly impact the UN sustainable development goals by increasing economic growth and reducing inequality within and among countries. This partnership is a great testimonial to how collaboration between the public and private sector can transform the financial sector for the better. This deployment places Rwanda on track to becoming the first truly cashless society in Africa and we are very pleased to be part of making history on the continent.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For media kits, backgrounders and high-resolution photos, please visit www.ericsson.com/press

Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society - a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure - especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud - are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With approximately 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the worlds mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions - and our customers - stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2015 were SEK 246.9 billion (USD 29.4 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

www.ericsson.com

www.ericsson.com/news

www.twitter.com/ericssonpress

www.facebook.com/ericsson

www.youtube.com/ericsson

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Corporate Communications

Phone: +46 10 719 69 92

E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

Ericsson Investor Relations

Phone: +46 10 719 00 00

E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com

LINK:	http://www.ericsson.com/uk/thecompany/press/releases/2016/05/2012607...
	See more stories from ericsson

Most recent headlines