By: Alfonso Mpima
Dedza district village savings groups and development committees have expressed frustration over persistent challenges with Digital Financial Services (DFS), citing network issues, security concerns, and accessibility problems.
The communities have since called upon DFS providers to rectify technical hitches and ensure secure and reliable transactions.
Speaking in separate interviews during a 21-day DFS campaign in some parts of the district, the groupings said despite the convenience offered by digital services, particularly mobile phones, users are not guaranteed safety and speed.
Tiyanjane Village Savings Loans (VSL) group chair Elenisa Gasten of Makoko Village, T/A Kaphuka, commended the DFS initiative but cited concerns over distance, network hitches, and fraud.
Mwalawanjiwa VSL chair Kosolota Damiano of Kasito Village and Mercy Langton of Makoko Village T/A Kaphuka urged authorities to improve the Pafupi banking system.
“We waste a lot of time and money traveling long distances to Dedza boma or Thete,” the women said.
Fote Masau, a physically challenged VSL member from T/A Tambala advocated for inclusiveness.
“Some of us cannot walk long distances due to our physical disabilities. There are others with visual and hearing impairments who face significant barriers. We call for inclusive solutions to ensure equal access to services,” he said.
Tereza Fountain of Mkwinda Village welcomed the mobile banking awareness initiative, citing improved understanding of digital finance.
She called on service providers to resolve network issues after learning she could deposit money from her phone to the bank.
Dedza district DFS team leader Bridget Mhango promised to convey community concerns to relevant partners providing digital financial services.
Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) deputy governor Macdonald Mafuta Mwale recently highlighted the benefits of adopting DFS, revealing that K23 billion was spent on reprinting damaged currency notes last year.
“Printers and suppliers are paid in dollars and the country lose a lot of forex to replace damaged notes. If more Malawians adopt DFS, our projections show that the figure will go down as there will be no demand to print more notes,” he said.