LILONGWE, Malawi — iMoSyS, an ICT company based in Malawi, is leveraging financial technology to provide access to clean water and bridge digital service gaps in underserved communities. Through its iTap platform, the company has installed over 500 water kiosks across Malawi, impacting nearly half a million people.
The iTap system functions like an ATM for water. Families in these communities receive digital cards that can be topped up using mobile money. By swiping the card at a kiosk, they can access clean water.
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“We work with utility companies to expand access to clean water. Our solution is simple, efficient, and tailored for the communities that need it most,” said Gehazi Jenda, Senior Software Developer at iMoSyS. The platform has recently expanded into neighboring Uganda, where several kiosks are now operational.
Beyond water access, iMoSyS has also developed Alonda, a mobile marketplace connecting service providers with customers. The platform boasts over 1,500 service providers and 70,000 users, facilitating payments via mobile money and VISA, thereby easing commerce for individuals across various economic backgrounds.
However, Jenda noted significant challenges to digital transformation in Malawi, including low smartphone ownership, limited digital literacy, and a general hesitancy towards digital payment methods. “FinTech must remain inclusive. Solutions need to work for users with basic phones and minimal tech exposure,” he emphasized.
iMoSyS was featured on the eleventh day of the #40Days40FinTechs initiative in Zambia and Malawi. This annual program highlights innovations driving financial inclusion across Africa and has showcased over 200 FinTech companies from East to Southern Africa in its five years. The initiative provides platforms like iMoSyS with increased visibility and support to scale their impactful solutions.
The #40Days40FinTechs initiative underscores the evolving role of FinTech in Africa, where companies like iMoSyS are demonstrating the power of technology to foster inclusion through mobile payments, digital marketplaces, and essential services like access to clean water.
