m-GURUSH, an M-PESA-like mobile money platform launches in South Sudan

South Sudan is set to enjoy its first mobile phone-based money transfer service. Trading under the brand name m-GURUSH^[1] (m-for mobile and GURUSH for money in Arabic), the new mobile commerce platform is a joint partnership between South Sudan’s own Trinity Technologies Limited, a local tech firm, and Zain Telcoms South Sudan.

The product is licensed by the Bank of South Sudan and the National Communication Authority of South Sudan to roll out Mobile Money Services.

“We are not just launching a brand name today. The m-GURUSH money mobile commerce platform presents a complete transformation from your first interaction with it, which is a simple, easy to use customer friendly access menu that makes it fast and convenient for customers and dealers to carry out transactions. The platform provides consumers with a robust offering of products that cuts across, Service Payments, Airtime top up and money transfer services.” said Mr. Joseph Arinaitwe, Trinity Technologies Vice President, adding that m-GURUSH is further supported by a state-of-the-art platform ensuring system stability and a great customer experience.

The launch of m-GURUSH signals the start of a major shift in the mobile money industry in South Sudan, which will promote broad digitization of the economy: mobile money customers will not just have access to an account, but rather to a full suite of services that are relevant to their daily lives, encouraging them to keep their funds in digital form and building resilience to financial shocks.

For South Sudan’s most vulnerable, especially displaced persons and women, the benefits of mobile money are real and far reaching. m-GURUSH will actively pursue partnerships with the Government and humanitarian organizations to ensue ease of access to affordable financial services. We will work closely with our network partner and the Government in reaching Small and Medium Enterprises and the underserved population, including female customers with relevant and tailored products and services.

Any business that is legally registered in the Republic of South Sudan can apply to become an m-GURUSH Mobile Money Agent in any of the 32 states South Sudan. m-GURUSH offers affordable rates to its registered customers who can send any amounts between 1 Pound and 100 Pounds for FREE. The cost of sending between 501 pounds to 1,000 pounds at 15 South Sudanese Pounds. Customers can also pay for goods and services using m-GURUSH PAY at registered merchant outlets countrywide.

Mr. Arinaitwe further explained that m-GURUSH will drive financial inclusion and economic empowerment and economic growth for millions of unbanked citizens across the width and breath South Sudan, enabling enterprise development, new employment opportunities and uplifting the living standards amongst the youth and the entire rural and urban population of the country.

Mr. Arinaitwe said besides the money transfer business, the new features on m-GURUSH money will enable the company to fully tap into the mobile commerce business in South Sudan.

The launch event was attended by the Minister for information, Communications Technology and Postal Services Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth, the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan Hon. Dier Tong Ngor and the Director General National Communications Authority Dr. Lado Wani Kenyi

References

1. ^{^} m-GURUSH (mgurush.com)