A quiet but powerful transformation is taking place across Lesotho’s financial landscape, as SasaiEconet Financial Services (SEFS), a subsidiary of Econet Telecom Lesotho, drives the country toward a cashless economy through its flagship EcoCash platform.
From the busy streets of Maseru to the remote corners of Mohale’s Hoek, more businesses are adopting digital payment systems. This growing shift reflects increasing confidence in financial technology and a national move toward safer, faster, and more inclusive financial transactions.
One of the enterprises leading this transformation is Matsoso Butchery, a thriving business in Mohale’s Hoek co-managed by entrepreneur Matšepo Mafoso. Alongside its sister company, e-Chicken Restaurant, the butchery has relied on EcoCash Merchant Services for more than five years to process payments for meat products and meals.
“EcoCash has truly transformed how we do business,” Mafoso says proudly.
“It saves time, improves safety, and makes operations smoother. Our customers love the convenience, and we no longer handle large amounts of cash. Going cashless is the future every Mosotho should embrace.”
Mafoso’s success story embodies SEFS’s broader mission of financial inclusion. Through EcoCash, SEFS is bridging the gap between the informal and formal sectors by providing individuals and enterprises with access to secure and efficient digital financial solutions.
“EcoCash is more than just a payment tool, it is a catalyst for economic participation,” explains Moeketsi Mafereka, General Manager of SEFS.
“We are empowering small and medium enterprises by providing platforms to manage transactions, pay suppliers, and process salaries through services like EcoCash Payroll. It is a major step forward from the old system of paying wages in envelopes.”
Mafereka notes that SEFS’s strategy is closely aligned with Econet Lesotho’s efforts to expand high-speed connectivity across the country.
“Connectivity and financial inclusion go hand in hand. Our goal is to ensure that every Mosotho can transact safely, efficiently, and with dignity.”
Across Lesotho, the EcoCash network of merchants and agents continues to expand, offering customers the ability to send and receive money, make payments, and access other financial services with ease. This digital ecosystem has brought with it a host of benefits, from improved record-keeping and business discipline to greater financial security and growth potential.
For business owners like Mafoso, digital finance has opened new doors, allowing them to operate with greater flexibility and control. Her experience demonstrates how accessible fintech can transform even the most traditional sectors, making them more resilient and competitive in a changing economy.
Summary
- A quiet but powerful transformation is taking place across Lesotho’s financial landscape, as SasaiEconet Financial Services (SEFS), a subsidiary of Econet Telecom Lesotho, drives the country toward a cashless economy through its flagship EcoCash platform.
- Through EcoCash, SEFS is bridging the gap between the informal and formal sectors by providing individuals and enterprises with access to secure and efficient digital financial solutions.
- Across Lesotho, the EcoCash network of merchants and agents continues to expand, offering customers the ability to send and receive money, make payments, and access other financial services with ease.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
