Togo : Semoa helps e-commerce expand

ITC

Tuesday, 12 June 2018 17:37

(Togo First) - Togo’s government wishes to make e-commerce a pillar of its economic growth. In that framework, there are actors like the local startup Semoa that creates and provides solutions to firms for online payment.

The startup’s CEO, Edem Adjamagbo, actually took part in the national workshop session to assess Togo’s readiness to e-commerce held last week. On this occasion, the startup which received the Fintech Africa of the Year 2018 award presented its latest product: Semoa Kiosk. It is a network of automated payment units enabling users to make online payments on websites using cash. In this short interview, Edem Adjamagbo answers some of Togo First’s questions.

Togo First : How does Semoa Kiosk benefit Togolese ?

Edem Adjamagbo : Our goal is to dematerialize bill payment. Nowadays, everyone uses cash. This is why we often see long queues when going to pay electricity bills. With the Semoa kiosks, there will no more be a need to go pay directly. People can come pay their bill at any Digital corner equipped with a Semoa Kiosk.

Togo First : Beside the payment of power bills, what other services does your kiosk provide ?

Edem Adjamagbo : At the moment, our kiosks allow for deposits on Tmoney accounts, purchase of phone credit with Togocel and Moov or to purchase mobile data with Togocel.

We are working with our R&D team in Lomé to launch a new service each month. The same way a phone becomes a smartphone by downloading apps, we are working to develop new services to turn Semoa-kiosk to SMART Semoa-kiosk.

Togo First : Where are these kiosks situated?

Edem Adjamagbo : Currently, we have some with our early partners CCT Batimat (assivito) and Wiistore, Kégué. These are partners who quickly understood what we prepared and wished to support our initiative by hosting the kiosks. We are grateful for that.

However, soon, more places will host the kiosks: the airport, the Champion and Super Ramco supermarkets as well as local Ecobank branches.

We are also in talks with the ministry of tourism regarding a project to enable tourists to pay at our kiosks in hotels for cultural events or sightseeing circuits.

Interview by Fiacre E. Kakpo

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