MaxMalipo Tanzania’s Electronic Payment System
By Paul Ndiho
Maxcom Africa limited, Tanzania’s electronic payment solutions provider is positioning itself as Africa’s leading information and communications technology Integration Company. It’s trying to bring various electronic payment services closer to people through a network of agents called “Maxmalipo”.
Maxcom Africa limited, based in Dar es Salaam, is aspiring to become the leading provider of payment systems, financial solutions and other services across Africa. The firm is investing millions of dollars in the development of software and hardware to bring services closer the people. Maxcom Africa is already making its mark in Tanzania. Company records indicate that more than 150 million dollars passed through its electronic payment system. The company has also expanded its business enterprise to neighboring countries in Rwanda, Burundi, and now it’s eying Uganda and Kenya. 
Juma Rajabu, managing director of Maxcom Africa, says they want to facilitate the transformation of Africa’s economy from cash-based to an electronic wallet economy.
“What we’re basically doing, is that through this “Maxmalipo”, we are simplifying the lives of people by bringing services closer to the community in terms of utility payment, banking services, pension funds so on and so forth. We bring services to the people and connect to the popular mobile payment systems into these services.”
Rajabu notes that his company came up with the technology to extend these services to normal retails shops closer to the people. And later integrated these services to the mobile platforms where people could easily access them.
“We started with the utility, went into now payment of tax, people can now pay tax from our platform using a corner shop or using mobile platform. And more importantly, they actually do assessment from their mobile phone.
Deogratius Lazari, head of commercial department, says electronic payment services were nonexistent at a time when they started offering services in 2009. But today Maxcom Africa has introduced a sophisticated machine that allows their agents to receive and make payments.
“Our agents in the can use to PSC terminal to offer various services, including utility services, airtime, paying for water bills and even Tanzania revenue authority bills. A normal retailer can use this machine to get just details from the customer, especially the bill number, phone number and then he pays the services.
Tech analysts say passion, and determination has helped maxmalipo transform lives not only throughout Tanzania, but outside the country as well… The service has since been expanded to encompass many types of financial transactions, including banking and various types of tax collections. Patrick Mbago provides banking services:
“We go to the banks, recruit them and do agency banking services. So that our end users can go and deposit, withdraw, do mini statements, do balance inquiries through the point of servers which we have all over the country.”
Ahmed Lussasi, chief operation officer, says that Maxcom Africa is ambitiously investing in the latest technologies.
“We have developed our own payment structure – that is our own agent network that we call “maxmalipo agents” in which customers and the public at large can visit our agents, or various agents across the country and get different services.”
He also observes that Maxcom Africa is a venture that is underlined by the presence of an effective network of agents fully focused on client service. He says it’s also a technologically strong company, but with a human touch. Especially in reducing traffic on service delivery with a result of improving the cost of living.
“There is no need to reinvent the wheel. MaxMalipo is now well established and has a proven concept in terms of how it works. So other actors or stakeholders, other business or organizations can leverage on existing infrastructure.”
Maxcom Africa employs more than 200 full time employee has positioned itself as the only electronic payment system where customers can conveniently purchase goods and services from home, while at the same time improving their lifestyles. Analysts suggest say Maxcom Africa has the potential to grow beyond East Africa, because it’s providing services that are needed continent-wide.
Paul Ndiho is a Ugandan – American video journalist/ executive producer, Africa Innovations & Technology based in Washington D.C with interests in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in Africa. He is passionate about mentorship and developing the next generation of Africa’s young leaders. Email:pndiho@gmail.com, Facebook: Paul Ndiho and Twitter: @pndiho
Ndiho Media 
WE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM IN THE MAXMALIPO MOTOR VEHICLE PAYMENT DONE YESTERDAY
OUR MACHINE N0: IS 100137
(MAMA DOTTO SHOP).
THE PROBLEM, THE MACHINE PRITNOUT IS NOT READABLE, PAYMENT IS Tsh. 278,500/=
NUMBER OF VEHICLE T 566 CFH
HOW CAN WE HELPED ? ALL YOUR TELEPHONE LINES NOT RESPONDING, AND THE CUSTOMER IS COMPLAINING
AND WANTS TO REPOT THE ISSUE TO THE POLICE STATION.,CAN YOU HELP US USING THIS EMAIL ADDRESS?
REGARDS,
MR/& mRS . DOTTO
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Hello Mr. & Mrs Dotto,
Thanks a lot for reaching out. I have sent your complient to the MaxMalipo people and they should be in a possition to get back to you a soon as possible.
Thanks
Paul
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Truly, I’ve been attracted and convinced by the max malipo services. of course the event of seeing Mr.Mkama getting power units from one of your agent in our district council surprised me. Either, i humbly plead you to help me became one of your max malipo agents here at our local village, so that i should be able to provide the max malipo services to my mostly fisher men society in my small barber shop .I hope i have made my self clear and my need of assistance will be taken into consideration because i have no one to surf for.
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Truly, I’ve been attracted and convinced by the max malipo services. of course the event of seeing Mr.Mkama getting power units from one of your agent in our district council surprised me. Either, i humbly plead you to help me became one of your max malipo agents here at our local village, so that i should be able to provide the max malipo services to my mostly fisher men society in my small barber shop .I hope i have made my self clear and my need of assistance will be taken into consideration because i have no one to surf for.Iam in Bukondo village in Ukerewe island in Mwanza region in Tanzania.
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May I know how maxmalipo works, and commissions/profit when serving people using this, for example per month. And what capital should an individual have so as to start this activity using maxmalipo
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i have tried to contact your office through 0757244424,but in vain,always answering not reachable.Its a shame,it seems you dont want any one to communicate with you,delete that number and people will stop bothering you.ok?
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Hi Hussein,
My apologies. I’m sorry to hear that — I have never failed to respond to any calls unless if i didn’t get the message. Please next time just leave your name, short message and phone number I’ll call you right back.
thanks
Paul
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I paid for airtel line since February 2016 Tsh 24,000/= but up to this time
Not provided with that line. I want to know what is the problem
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Let me know how to become an agent. And where to get PoS device.
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Hello my name nassry….!!!! plz dear i want to be ambassador of max malipo at dodoma i can see this opportunity to archive the gaol of this company plz plz…….!!!!
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Thanx alot for all,,,am new one to hear about max malipo but i have realy attracted to be invest,,the issue is that am at Zanzibar/how may i get that program and full knowladge concerning
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have Tin number and business license i want to be max malipo agent what should I do to achieve that.
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Ninaomba mwelekezo wa jinsi ya kuspost fedha kwenye mashine fedha zangu zimeisha kwenye Mashine yangu
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People wants to know how to become an ambassador but still you quite . Can you please tell us what is needed to became maxmalipo ambassador?
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