Motorists in Kigali will no longer have to carry cash to pay for fuel or lubricants and other services, thanks to a deal between MTN Rwanda and ENGEN, a fuel retailer, that will enable customers to pay using mobile money.

MTN general manager of human resources and corporate affairs Mary Asiimwe said the facility is part of the telecom’s innovative mobile money products and services geared towards transforming Rwanda into a cashless society. "MTN believes that the partnership with ENGEN will increase efficiency and add value to customers’ lives through the ease, and convenience of MTN Mobile Money,” Asiimwe said at the launch on Wednesday at ENGEN Kicukiro Station.

The service is available at all ENGEN stations in Kigali and will be rolled out to upcountry stations next year. MTN has over one million active mobile money subscribers.

Speaking at the event, Sarah Doukoure, ENGEN Rwanda managing director said the service will increase convenience and safety for customers.

How it works

While paying for fuel, MTN Mobile Money clients will receive an SMS asking them to approve the pending payment initiated by the fuel pump attendant. They will dial *182# – My Account – Pending Approvals – and approve the payment by entering their mobile money PIN number where the amount will be deducted from their mobile money account.