Smart cards were once seen  as a preserve of highly developed economies. But not anymore, for Rwanda, as many big investors look for ways of rewarding and retaining loyal customers.

"The Smart card Nakumatt programme has been established so as to reward our customers,” says Patrick Karante on the customer care’s desk in charge of smart cards. 

A smart card is business identity  which introduces the client and enables him transact business with his business partner . It's issued to a client  after agreeing to  the terms and conditions on which it operates.

"Whenever you buy goods with us, before you pay, you are meant to present that card to the cashier who feeds it into a reader, a machine which awards points,” Karante explains. 

After filling the application form and issuing your identity card or passport for a photocopy which is retained, the smart card is printed and issued to you. The company meets the costs of the card.

But Karante adds that if you lose it, you have to part with some cash to get a replacement.

"Clients are awarded basing on points accumulated. for each RWF 1000 a client spends with us, earns him 1 point. The more you spend with us, the more points you accumulate leading to more rewards,”

Rewards are in form of discounts, gifts and complimentaries.
Karante disclosed that even other companies are free to a contract with smart card Nakumatt programme.

"Joining the programme is all about coming to an agreement with us and abiding by the terms as stipulated. When we come into a contract, our clients will be able to use these cards to acquire goods from your business as we give discounts and ‘complimentaries’,” says Karante.

Karante said sometimes there are promotions for those who have the smart cards, which leads them to acquiring double points like when one spends RWF 1000 and earns him two points.

It’s mainly during certain hours when there are few customers turning up like in the morning or mid-day since most of them come for shopping in the late hours of the day.

He further said that although they have not started giving big rewards like those of Nakumatt in Kenya where they are even paying school fees, they are focused and will reach the expected standards. 

"Business is all about innovation, so we always think of new ideas and for now we are planning to start giving special discounts with in Nakumatt sections to those who have our cards, we are most likely to start with in two months time from now,” he reveals.

Karante said these cards will be used in three East African countries of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda. Another Nakumatt client who declined to named said that that having a smart card, always makes her want to go shopping at the store.

"I get points at a free cost. When I go shopping at Nakumatt with my budget I spend only on what I buy, but on addition to that I accumulate points and gain rewards in the form of discounts,” says Benin.

Byaruhanga who has no smart card but also a client, said he did not know about the existence of the smart card.

"It’s the first time Iam taking note and realising the importance of these cards. I have  not spared time to find out what exactly a smart card is. I have been keeping myself busy shopping and then leaving immediately,” says Byaruhanga.

Peace Nyansaba an employee working with the smart card department in Nakumatt says sometimes, customers fail to abide by the terms and conditions as set by management.

A customer comes for shopping without a card but he wants his points.Others do not want to pay when they lose their cards yet that is the policy. Nyansaba explains that "they do not feel they should pay since they never paid for the first cards.”

Ends