By Staff Reporter
Harare – Dr. Paul Tungwarara, a prominent businessman and special advisor to the president, is leading the charge in expanding banking access to remote areas, fulfilling the government’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.
His initiative, Talk and Pay (TAP), in collaboration with CBZ Bank, is pioneering agency banking in underserved regions.
TAP has significantly eased the process of sending money internationally, enabling diaspora communities to buy electricity tokens and airtime for any number or household globally, all from the comfort of their homes.
Tungwarara’s broader efforts include projects like the Presidential Boreholes, Solar, and Internet Schemes, further improving access to vital services.
The agency banking model, already operational in areas such as Murambinda, Bulawayo, and Harare, is bringing financial inclusion to even the most remote parts of Zimbabwe.
The TAP platform, which facilitates both communication and transactions, was developed by Dr. Tungwarara as part of the country’s push for innovation through the Education 5.0 model.
It is set to be a game-changer, allowing users to chat and transact simultaneously while offering both local and international payment capabilities.
“His Excellency the President has been speaking so much about innovation, so we decided it was time for us to play our own role.
“Our agency is reaching all the remotest parts of the country. This will also lead to employment creation through recruitment of locals to work in various departments,” he said.
Dr Tungwarara said TAP agencies are going to be a transitive platform.
“In Zimbabwe there are a lot of financing platforms like Ecocash, One Wallet, but this one is going to make it easier for one to be able to keep money in the phone.
“The difference is that you can still be chatting while transacting. Moreover, we are also building a platform so that payments are not just local, but be international just like Mukuru, World Remit,” he said.
Dr Tungwarara through the TAP application one is able to pay for goods and services online.
“We have tested the application already internally doing transactions with people in Dubai and it is perfect. We are hoping that within the next few weeks it will be able to start transacting,” he said.
Following the successful international trials already successful, including transactions with Dubai, Dr. Tungwarara is confident that TAP will soon become a key player in global financial transactions.