MTN Zambia begins destruction of over 70 million scratch cards in sustainability drive
Date: 2026-01-27
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
MTN
Zambia has announced the commencement of the destruction of more than 70
million scratch cards as part of its efforts to promote sustainability and
advance digital inclusion in the country.
The
destruction exercise, carried out in line with directives from the Government
of Zambia and the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority
(ZICTA), took place at the E-Tech Recycling warehouse in Lusaka’s industrial
area. The initiative follows the national policy direction to phase out
physical scratch cards in favour of digital recharge solutions.
MTN
Zambia said the move comes after the successful transition to digital recharge
platforms, including the MoMo app, the USSD platform and the MTN App, which
provide customers with more secure, convenient and environmentally friendly
alternatives to traditional scratch cards.
The
event was attended by the ZICTA Director General, represented by Mr Edgar
Mlauzi, Consumer Protection Manager, who commended MTN Zambia for undertaking
the large-scale destruction exercise in compliance with regulatory directives.
According
to the company, the elimination of physical scratch cards will significantly
reduce plastic and paper waste while supporting safer, faster and more
accessible recharge options for customers. MTN Zambia noted that the initiative
forms part of its broader commitment to environmental sustainability and the
continued drive toward digital transformation in Zambia.
