The
new
product,
which
addresses
the
day-to-day
operational
needs
of
micro,
small
and
medium-sized
enterprises
(MSMEs),
enables
users
to
transact,
pay
bills,
manage
payroll,
and
access
business
records
–
all
through
their
mobile
phones.
“Small
businesses
are
not
just
surviving
–
they’re
driving
our
economy.
EcoCash
Plus
is
set
to
make
their
everyday
hustle
easier,
safer
and
more
connected
to
opportunities,”
EcoCash
said
in
a
statement.
Zimbabwe’s
informal
economy
contributes
more
than
60%
of
the
national
GDP,
yet
many
entrepreneurs
and
traders
operate
outside
the
formal
financial
system,
relying
heavily
on
cash.
This
limits
their
growth
potential
and
exposes
them
to
risks
such
as
theft,
lack
of
access
to
credit
and
exclusion
from
broader
economic
opportunities.
But
the
statement
said
EcoCash
Plus
is
set
to
change
that.
“With
this
wallet,
business
owners
can
receive
payments
from
customers
and
suppliers,
buy
ZESA
tokens,
airtime,
and
pay
council
bills,
pay
suppliers,
send
money
to
employees
and
track
transactions
with
digital
statements,”
the
statement
said.
It
added
that
EcoCash
Plus
will
provide
a
platform
for
SMEs
to
trade
with
big
corporates,
where
they
can
order
stock
using
EcoCash
plus.
The
platform
targets
a
broad
spectrum
of
businesses
including
tuckshops,
boutiques,
small
grocery
stores,
hardware
outlets,
agro-dealers,
motor
spares
dealers,
electronics
shops,
and
craft
vendors.
It
also
supports
service
providers
such
as
salons,
tailors,
artisans,
cleaners,
repair
technicians,
laundry
operators,
print
shops,
and
photographers,
among
others.
Financial
analysts
have
welcomed
the
product,
saying
its
potential
to
open
doors
for
informal
traders
are
enormous.
“The
challenge
in
the
informal
sector
isn’t
a
lack
of
business
activity
–
it’s
a
lack
of
data,”
said
a
Harare-based
economist.
“EcoCash
Plus
creates
a
financial
trail
that
builds
credibility
and
unlocks
future
access
to
capital.”
With
national
development
strategies
increasingly
focused
on
formalising
the
informal
sector
and
extending
financial
services
to
underserved
communities,
EcoCash
Plus
comes
at
a
critical
moment.
“We’re
offering
a
wallet
and
building
infrastructure
for
long-term
growth,
trust,
and
financial
inclusion,”
said
EcoCash.
It
said
to
register
for
EcoCash
Plus,
customers
should
send
a
message
to
WhatsApp
Number
0777
222
152,
and
follow
the
prompts
guiding
them
through
a
brief
registration
process.
Required
documentation
includes
a
valid
national
ID,
proof
of
residence
and
a
trading
license,
among
other
relevant
supporting
documents