Tanzania’s Ports Authority move to electronic payment system next week

Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) said it will stop using paper invoices effective from Monday next week as it embraces electronic payment system to modernize port services.

The authority’s Acting Director, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department, Mr Kilian Chale, said all invoices will be available electronically.

He said effective from mid this month all port payment services will be done electronically. “This is one of measures to improve port services and make it efficient,” he said, adding that it will help in strengthening port operations.

The new e-payment system started being operational last month. Mr Chale noted that TPA is strengthening the e-payment system by involving more mobile telephone companies, banks and other providers such as Selcom Wireless and MaxMalipo.

According to the official, the new system also seeks to implement Big Results Now (BRN) initiative and reduce operational costs.

The Acting Communications Manager at TPA, Ms Janeth Ruzangi, said through the new electronic payment system, customers will be able to get invoice information including Payment Reference Number (PRN) and knowing the status of payments.

“This system bears no charges,” she noted. A customer must have a PRN to make payments through mobile phones, internet banking, point of sale specifically the CRDB’s Fahari Huduma and bank through using tellers.

She called upon dry ports and Tanzania International Container Terminal Ltd (TICTS) to initiate a similar system to further improve services at the port.

After effecting payments, customers will have to continue with a next stage of taking his cargo from the port.