By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Vodacom Lesotho has launched
a new mobile-based investment solution, Tsetela, aimed at making formal
investment opportunities more accessible to Basotho through the M-Pesa
platform.
Developed by VCL Financial
Services, the operator of M-Pesa in Lesotho, in partnership with STANLIB
Lesotho, Tsetela allows eligible M-Pesa customers and Mokhatlo Group Savings
customers to invest directly from their mobile wallets, marking an expansion of
digital financial services beyond payments and money transfers.
The solution enables users
to build value from their mobile wallets, monitor investment balances through
USSD and request withdrawals in accordance with applicable product terms and
conditions.
Vodacom Lesotho said the
service is designed to reduce barriers that have traditionally limited access
to formal investment products, including distance, paperwork requirements,
complexity and high entry thresholds.
Speaking at the launch event
in Maseru, Teboho Shelile, representing the Minister of Finance and Development
Planning, welcomed the initiative, describing product innovation as an
important driver of financial inclusion and economic development.
He encouraged Basotho to
embrace regulated financial solutions that promote savings, investment and
long-term economic participation.
Vodacom Lesotho Chief
Executive Officer Mohale Ralebitso said Tsetela reflects the company’s
commitment to using technology to help more people participate in the formal
financial system.
He noted that the solution
has been designed to allow customers to begin investing at an accessible level
while supporting responsible wealth creation and providing an alternative to
informal and potentially unsafe financial schemes.
STANLIB Lesotho Managing
Director Mohlabinyane Mohapi said the partnership seeks to address traditional
barriers to investment by reducing minimum investment requirements and making
regulated investment products available through a widely used mobile platform.
He added that STANLIB’s
regulatory compliance framework, including oversight mechanisms and risk
management processes, provides safeguards for customers using the service.
With Tsetela, Vodacom
Lesotho aims to strengthen the country’s savings culture by encouraging
individuals to start small, invest consistently and build financial resilience
over time.
