Online Reporter
Youth Interactive Reporter
IN a move set to transform digital payments for churches, NGOs, businesses, and diaspora communities, local tech company Magetsi has introduced an innovative biller services solution, enabling seamless cross-border transactions for donations, subscriptions, and project funding.
This comes at a time locals have been relying on costly and inconvenient traditional money transfers.
Magetsi, which started out by easing online purchases of prepaid electricity and cellphone data, has been on an expansion path, introducing a convenient online ticketing for entertainment and sporting events last year. The firm’s Digital Marketing Specialist Fungayi Chimbuya (23) said the recent expansion allows entities like churches, medical aid societies, and charities to receive payments from anywhere in the world.
“Sending $20 via bank transfers or money agencies is expensive and inefficient,” said Chimbuya. “Our solution eliminates middlemen, ensuring funds go directly to the intended beneficiaries in real time.”
Chimbuya said the platform has come with a solution for those trying to raise funds from Zimbabwe, who previously could not register crowdfunding.
“Prior to our innovation, Zimbabweans had limitations in crowdfunding, for example, platforms like GoFundMe had to be domiciled outside the country,” she said.
“With our platform, you can now even raise funds to assist someone cover their medical bills or whatever cause you may want to raise funds towards.”
The new service allows charity organisations to register as billers on Magetsi’s platform at no cost.
Donors can then pay via international cards, EcoCash (USD or ZWL), or any other mobile and online payment methods.
The platform provides transparent tracking, enabling billers to set fundraising targets with progress bars, similar to GoFundMe, while generating instant reports.
Funds accumulate in a wallet linked to a verified bank account, with withdrawals processed on request.
The solution has practical applications across sectors.
“Churches and NGOs can now receive diaspora donations for projects or emergencies without intermediaries,” said Magetsi Sales and Marketing manager Samson Makwara.
“Medical aid societies can allow members abroad to pay subscriptions instantly, with automatic verification.
“Businesses like pharmacies, construction firms, and retailers can generate payment links for services or goods.
“Already, initiatives like Friends of Karanda Hospital are leveraging the platform to raise funds for healthcare infrastructure.”
Magetsi emphasizes security, vetting all billers to prevent fraud.
“This rebuilds trust for diaspora contributors wary of scams,” said Makwara.
“Some diasporans have been scammed by family members in the past when funding projects never materialised.
“This has left many people sceptical about investing back home, while some struggle to find reliable means to do so without losing money.”
“So we have done a good job to individual consumers with ZESA tokens, with airtime and bundles,” said Chimbuya.
“So the system is continuously expanding, even in the business sector. We do have another business one, the corporate bill payment, where people can do bulk payments.
“But with this one specifically, imagine how groundbreaking it will be if you have a construction company and you register as a biller on Magetsi.
“You actually gain trust from the people in the diaspora because you’re already registered on a platform where one just has to pay remotely.”
