Crown Agents Bank signed a partnership agreement with VodaCash, a subsidiary of Vodacom Congo, to facilitate mobile payments for the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a report in FinExtra.

The collaboration with the DRC's mobile network operator allows Crown Agents Bank to extend its mobile payments reach to 13.4 Million of Vodacom Congo's subscribers. Crown Agents Bank will also be able to integrate its payment gateway with the VodaCash platform and provide a secure way for international development organizations to pay individuals directly into their mobile wallets.

VodaCash, through Crown Agents Bank, will be able to assist international organizations with the transition of their payments to recipients and vendors from cash to digital, enhancing financial access, as while same time, reducing costs and delays.

"Being able to provide payments to mobile wallets in the DRC is an important step towards financial inclusivity. Along with our well-established FX capabilities across the continent, we are building out a suite of payment services that allow us to reach those who previously were unable to access financial services. The timing of the VodaCash collaboration is crucial, as we're seeing an increased demand from IDOs making payments to mobile wallets in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic," Steve Marshall, Chief Commercial Officer at Crown Agents Bank said in the report.