In October 2025, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS), Zamtel Mobile Money, and VeryPay Zambia took a bold step toward improving financial inclusion in rural Zambia. Together, they launched a Social Cash Transfer (SCT) digitisation pilot in Lunga District, aimed at helping vulnerable households access their government benefits more safely, quickly, and transparently through digital channels.
The pilot introduced an innovative solution: NFC-enabled payment cards powered by VeryPay and linked to Zamtel Mobile Money wallets. These cards allow SCT beneficiaries—especially those without mobile phones—to receive and withdraw funds securely. By combining offline NFC technology with mobile money, the partnership ensures that no beneficiary is left behind, even in areas with poor connectivity.
Reaching the Unreachable
Lunga District, located in Zambia’s Luapula Province, spans four islands and dozens of remote communities. Over six days, teams from MCDSS, Zamtel, and VeryPay traveled across the islands, engaging traditional leaders, community welfare coordinators, and thousands of beneficiaries. Awareness sessions, customer clinics, and field activations helped beneficiaries understand how digital payments work—and how this new system could make receiving their cash transfers easier than ever.
Despite challenges such as misinformation, low financial literacy, and seasonal migration, the pilot succeeded in onboarding hundreds of beneficiaries and establishing a strong foundation for future expansion. Importantly, the project demonstrated that even in difficult terrains, digital SCT payments can work effectively when supported by the right partnerships and technology.
Empowering Communities Through Digital Inclusion
The Social Cash Transfer programme has long been central to Zambia’s social protection efforts, helping vulnerable citizens meet essential needs. However, cash-based payments often meant long travel distances, security risks, and administrative inefficiencies.
By digitising the SCT programme, the new system:
- Reduces travel and waiting time for beneficiaries;
- Improves payment security through traceable digital transactions;
- Increases transparency and efficiency for government disbursements;
- Promotes financial inclusion by introducing beneficiaries to digital wallets and cashless tools.
For many recipients in Lunga, this was their first interaction with a formal financial service—a significant step toward greater economic empowerment.
Partnership and the Path Forward
The Lunga pilot revealed valuable lessons about how to roll out digital payments in rural contexts. Stronger community sensitization, better logistical planning, and continuous financial education will be essential to future success.
Building on these insights, MCDSS, Zamtel, and VeryPay plan to extend SCT digitisation to other provinces, starting with Mitete in Western Province. As Zamtel expands network coverage and community teams increase local engagement, more beneficiaries will be brought into the digital fold.
Toward a More Inclusive Future
VeryPay’s vision is to make digital payments work for everyone—whether online or offline. Through technologies like NFC cards, USSD services, and agent-led networks, the company continues to remove barriers that keep rural populations excluded from digital finance.
The Lunga District pilot marks the start of a broader journey to ensure that every Zambian, regardless of location or device ownership, can access secure digital payments. With continued collaboration and innovation, Zambia is moving closer to a future where social protection is not just inclusive—but truly digital.
