Abstract

Kenya's highly successful mobile payment (m-payment) ecosystem ?and in particular its 'star' service 'M-Pesa' ?have been investigated in academic works (Foster and Heeks 2013; Jack et al. 2010; Orlikowski and Barrett 2014) and have attracted global media and policy attention. However, research on transferring such success to neighboring countries remains limited. In this paper, we examine m-payment services in Rwanda and compare the country's dominant service offering 'Mobile Money' to its Kenyan role model. Along ten factors suitable for assessing the potential contribution and the adoption of m-payment services in developing countries, we find several anchor points where Rwanda ?to the better of its economy and national welfare ?could learn from Kenya. Thereupon, we recommend establishing a regulatory framework, promoting adequate electricity as well as telecommunication infrastructures, and requiring ?almost imposing ?collaboration among stakeholders. Further, we find the need for Rwandan m-payment providers to build comprehensive distribution network of properly incentivized agents, especially in the country's rural areas with 85% of its population live.

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