Online Reporter
Business Reporter
HELLO PAISA Zimbabwe says it has now reached more than 2,000 girls through its “Sanitary Pad Drive”, a menstrual hygiene product distribution programme, as the remittance services provider steps up efforts to address menstrual health challenges affecting school attendance among young girls.
The company said the initiative is part of its decision to scale up its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
According to Hello Paisa, distribution of sanitary pads to schoolgirls is part of a deliberate effort to address persistent social challenges while deepening its footprint in the country’s fast-growing remittances sector.
Since its launch this year, the programme has carried out quarterly distributions in partnership with schools, local authorities and community groups.
Through the Hello Paisa Sanitary Pad Drive, the company aims to provide menstrual hygiene products across Zimbabwe and forms part of Hello Paisa’s broader community empowerment strategy.
Among the beneficiaries, on the 1st of August 2025, 500 girls at St Marnocks Primary School each received two sanitary packs, and on 5 August, 663 girls at Makomo Primary School were also provided with menstrual hygiene products.
Beneficiary schools are identified based on need, enrolment levels of female learners and their willingness to participate in hygiene awareness programmes.
Hello Paisa Managing Director Imtiaz Mahamood said the programme was inspired by concerns raised by teachers, community leaders and social influencers about the high number of girls who miss school during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of sanitary products.
“At Hello Paisa Zimbabwe, we believe true impact goes beyond financial services it is about empowering communities and addressing real social challenges. We realised that as a brand deeply rooted in family and community, we could play a role in restoring dignity and opportunity for young women through this initiative.
“We officially launched our sanitary pad distribution programme in 2025. Since then, we have conducted regular drives, roughly every quarter, in partnership with schools and local authorities. We also tie these drives to other community activities, ensuring that the support is consistent and reaches as many girls as possible throughout the year,” said Mahamood.
He said menstrual health had consistently emerged as a critical yet often overlooked issue during the company’s community engagements.
According to Mr Mahamood, households prioritise food and other essentials, leaving girls without proper sanitary care a situation that undermines girls’ education and perpetuates inequality.
“Many families prioritise food and basic necessities, leaving girls without proper sanitary care,” he said.
The company also highlighted that it relies on customer suggestions submitted through social media and other feedback platforms to distribute the sanitary wear.
“We work closely with local education offices, school heads, and community representatives to identify the most deserving beneficiaries, especially schools in peri-urban or rural areas where access to such resources is limited.”
Aside from its CSR work, Hello Paisa indicated that it is accelerating its operational expansion across Zimbabwe on the back of rising demand for affordable, secure and accessible remittance services.
Mr Mahamood said increasing digital adoption and growing diaspora activity were key factors behind the expansion.
The expansion forms part of Hello Paisa’s long-term strategy to simplify cross-border money transfers while extending access to underserved communities as it aims to strengthen its role in both regional and international remittance corridors.
“Our expansion is driven by the growing demand for fast, safe, and affordable remittance services — both into and out of Zimbabwe. The diaspora community continues to support families back home, and we are seeing strong growth in digital adoption. We want to ensure that recipients across every province have convenient access to their funds through trusted, well-supported locations,” he said.
Hello Paisa indicated that it is pursuing a hybrid model that combines digital convenience with physical accessibility.
While mobile platforms continue to grow in popularity, Mahamood said physical outlets remain critical in cash-based economies like Zimbabwe.
“We are firmly committed to a hybrid model. While digital channels drive convenience and speed, physical outlets remain essential for accessibility and trust, especially in cash-based economies like Zimbabwe. Our goal is to bridge both worlds by empowering agents with digital tools while enabling customers to transact seamlessly through our mobile app or in-person.”
Hello Paisa says its biggest market advantage lies in its strong local presence and hands-on approach unlike many remittance providers that rely solely on partner networks.
To enhance value for customers, Hello Paisa also highlighted that it offers loyalty programmes, airtime rewards and community-driven initiatives, helping foster what it describes as “a bigger purpose” behind every transaction.
On the innovation front, the company said it is integrating its systems with major global remittance partners, including Remitly and WorldRemit (ZEPZ) which allows Zimbabweans to receive funds from multiple international senders through a single, trusted platform.
“Innovation is at the heart of what we do. We also integrate with leading international partners like Remitly and WorldRemit (ZEPZ), giving Zimbabweans access to multiple global senders through one trusted platform.
“Locally, we are exploring other exciting innovations to make remittances more flexible and inclusive,” said Mahamood.
