Seabata Mahao
The Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) and Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) have introduced a digital banking platform that will streamline tax and customs payments, making the process easier and more efficient for SLB clients.
The Payment Integration Solution Programme marks a major step toward creating a more inclusive, accessible, and secure tax payment system for all Basotho.
At the launch event, RSL Commissioner General ‘Mathabo Mokoko hailed the integration with SLB as transformative for Lesotho’s tax collection infrastructure.
“I am pleased to announce the introduction of four new payment platforms under this integration: the USSD option, the Unayo App, Unayo Internet Banking, and Unayo Agents. These platforms enable individuals and businesses to make tax payments efficiently, securely, and swiftly,” Mokoko stated.
The integration represents RSL’s commitment to making tax payments less complex, aligning with prior efforts to connect with Lesotho’s two major mobile networks.
“With SLB’s integration, we are building a robust system where multiple payment platforms work in unison, including commercial banks, mobile money services, and agent networks,” Mokoko added.
The system centralises the payment process on a unified platform, dramatically improving the efficiency of tax and customs payment processing.
Mokoko explained that the new system aligns with RSL’s strategic goals, including achieving 95 percent efficiency in core tax and customs processes. Designed to enhance the user experience, it allows for auto-reconciliation, simplifying tax and customs reporting, and generating accurate performance reports.
“Our new system minimises un-receipted payments and ensures that stakeholders have access to reliable data and performance indicators, helping guide informed decisions,” Mokoko explained.
One significant benefit of this integration is the reduction of revenue leakages through a consolidated view of tax obligations and payment receipts.
“This integration strengthens our ability to reconcile payments accurately and timely, ensuring that public resources are used for essential services across Lesotho,” Mokoko noted, underscoring the platform’s role in promoting transparency and trust in Lesotho’s revenue administration.
SLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Anton Nicolaisen, echoed these sentiments, describing the initiative as a landmark in Lesotho’s digital transformation.
“This is more than a technology upgrade—it’s a step forward in modernizing tax collection and establishing an efficient, transparent, and inclusive financial landscape in Lesotho,” Nicolaisen said.
“Through this partnership, we are supporting the government’s objectives to improve public service delivery and tax compliance, creating a secure revenue stream to fund critical projects for sustainable development.”
For end-users, whether individuals or businesses, the new system means a simpler, faster, and more accessible tax payment experience, reflecting both organisations’ dedication to making tax payments straightforward and secure.
