M-Paisa reaches nationwide to facilitate access to financial services and enables transfer of funds through mobile for peer-to-peer transfer, repayment of microfinance loans, purchase of airtime and salary disbursement. Link to external site : Website for M-paisa Afghanistan |  |
| Brand | |
| Launched in | |
| Status |
Active Register/Log In |
| Launch |
2008 Nov Register/Log In |
| Importance |
Leader Register/Log In |
| Traction |
Very High Upgrade to Bronze |
| Evaluation |
Since launch of operations in 2008, Roshan had 3m subs in 2009. The M-PAISA service was offered in 10 provinces throughout the country as of their website on August 2012. Register/Log In |
| Account Type |
Stored Value Register/Log In |
| Business Model |
Activation is Free of charge. Upgrade to Bronze |
| Class |
| Send | Services | Receive | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mobile  Voice |
 Cash  Wallet |
 |
 AT  B2P  BP  DAT  DMT  IMT  MFI  MM  MW |
|
Cash Wallet |
Mobile Voice |
| Model |
non-bank based Upgrade to Bronze |
| Who Leads? |
mobile operator led Upgrade to Bronze |
| Reach |
National Upgrade to Bronze |
| Active Users |
115,000 Upgrade to Bronze |
| Registered Users |
6,000,000 Upgrade to Bronze |
| Potential Mobile Market (m) |
21.218 Upgrade to Bronze |
| Regulations |
| Persona | |
| Purpose | |
| Active Services | |
| Card Type |
None Register/Log In |
| ServicesDescription |
No need to have a bank account, no minimum balance and no monthly fee required to transfer money with M-Paisa. Services include DMT, Bill Payments, Topup, Salary Disbursement, MFI Loan Repayment.
June 2012: Extended to allow receipt of money from abro |
| Channels | |
| Payment Instruments | |
| Cash I/O Description |
M-Paisa agent is called Roshan shop. Roshan has 10 M-Paisa trained dealers located in the cities of Kabul, Mazar, Jalalbad and Herat and will expand its reach to 125 agents nationwide. The Roshan network currently serves more than half of the countrys population, with over 2 million active subscribers reported at the end of June. Roshan reaches over 226 cities and towns across 33 of 34 provinces in Afghanistan, covering 56% of the population. Roshan flagship shops, or at any of Roshan’s authorized dealers.
Roshan has pioneered the concept of retailing in Afghanistan with the largest distribution channel in the country. Roshan has appointed 18 SIM distributors across the nation. These distributors will pick up SIMs and other merchandise material and will supply them to over 2,292 retail outlets across the nation enabling customers to recharge airtime credit conveniently. Roshan operates 8 Roshan’s flagship shops in Kabul (2), Kandahar, Mazar, Herat, Kunduz, Jalalabad and Ghazni. Receive salaries, deposit cash. Go to an M-Paisa Agent (participating Roshan airtime dealer). |
| Cash I/O No Of Locations | |
| Handsets |
Basic handsets, no application downloaded Register/Log In |
| Technologies | |
| Interoperability | |
| RegistrationProcess |
Registration to use M-Paisa is free and can be done at any official M-Paisa agent or Roshan shop if 18 years or above. Requirements are: - Roshan SIM - Valid National ID or Passport
Steps are: 1.Upgrade your SIM for free if necessary 2.Complete the registration forms and accept the M-Paisa Ts&Cs 3. Agent will register you and you will receive a start key on your handset 4.Activate the M-Paisa menu using your phone and the start key you received 5.You will receive a secret word on your handset. This will be required when you call Customer Care (313)
To activate your M-Paisa Account: 1.The M-Paisa menu can be found by selecting “SIM Services” from your menu 2.Select “M-Paisa” and then “Activate” 3.Enter your start key and create a new secret PIN number 4.When asked to enter ID, enter your NID number or date of birth and wait for a confirmation message |
| Main Segment | Unbanked |
| Segment Description |
Primarily unbanked: 3% of population has bank account. 75% illiterate. Less than 20% have mobile access. 17 commercial banks with 290 branches. Trust in banking system non existent. Hawala well established and trused.
Originally they offered to all Afghan consumers, but in 6 months of launch realised they should instead target key segments such as Afghan women (MF), Afghan military and police force. |