Mobile money could be a handy tool in the arsenal of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), an analyst says. The agency needs alternative disbursement methods, as Net1’s Cash Paymaster Services is due to hand over the reins in September. One option Sassa is actively considering is mobile money, a technology widely used in East Africa that has never gained traction in SA because of the country’s higher rate of financial inclusion. Spokesman Kgomoco Diseko said Sassa was holding internal discussions about paying grants via mobile money. "Should there be agreement on this method, a procurement process will have to start." Mobile operators would then need to respond to a request for proposal, he said. Africa Analysis director Dobek Pater said mobile money would probably be "a good solution to Sassa’s woes – and certainly a lot better, safer, and most likely less expensive than handling cash". It would also benefit grant recipients, he said. Pater said SA’s biggest mobile oper...
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