Absa, Yellow Light Taxi Association deal expands cashless payments
Laone Choeunyane | Wednesday August 12, 2026 09:44
The two signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last week which paved the way for the innovative agreement to be roll out.
The partnership, launched at an event attended by bank executives, taxi association leaders and industry stakeholders, will introduce digital payment solutions while helping operators build stronger financial records and access business funding.
Under the synergy, taxi operators will be able to use Absa’s Mobi-tap payment solution to accept payments from local and international bank cards. The Botswana Stock Exchange-listed bank will also encourage operators to open and actively use transactional accounts, creating a financial history that can support future lending.
Head of Cards and Payments at Absa, Godiraone Maokanyane, said qualifying operators who consistently use their Absa accounts and Mobi-tap platform will be eligible to apply for business financing of up to P60,000.
He explained that the partnership is designed to help taxi operators adapt to a rapidly changing payments landscape while improving customer convenience.
“Cashless transactions are becoming an important part of everyday commerce,” he said. “For many taxi operators, this presents an opportunity not only to improve customer experience but to build sustainable and financially resilient businesses.”
In addition to digital payment solutions, Absa will provide financial literacy programmes covering budgeting, saving, investing and business financial management.
For his part, Yellow Light Taxi Association chairperson, Kebaeletse Keobokile noted that the move was driven largely by the need to improve the safety of taxi operators, who often carry large amounts of cash and are vulnerable to theft.
“We’re going cashless in 10 to 15 years. We wanted taxi operators to be a part of that change and not be left out,” he explained.
Keobokile said embracing digital payments would help modernise the industry while ensuring operators remain competitive as customers increasingly expect cashless payment options.
The partnership also aims to deepen financial inclusion by bringing more taxi operators into the formal banking system, while enabling them to access banking products and business finance that have traditionally been out of reach for many in the sector.