Kenyan bank invests in e-payment

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) has rolled out an online payment service to bolster electronic tourism, as most bookings and payments are made on the Internet, reports The Daily Nation.

The bank is working with online payment service provider, Nights Bridge, which provides connectivity to worldwide hotels on top travel Web sites and agents.

KCB deputy chief executive, Peter Munyiri, says: “Electronic commerce has been booming in the developed world but its uptake in Africa has been slow, because few local financial institutions have implemented online payments solutions, partly due to legislation and initial costs.”

VeriFone Systems has acquired the assets of mobile point-of-sale solutions company Way Systems for $6 million, states Zacks Investment Research.

The company expects that Way's intellectual property and reseller relationships will strengthen its mobile payment solutions business. The acquisition will help VeriFone expand its Payware Connect Gateway infrastructure.

VeriFone will offer support for all existing Way mobile systems through its extensive mobile portfolio, including Payware Mobile and VX Evolution secure payment systems.

The transport department in India has developed an e-payment system for people to pay for road tax and vehicle emission testing, says The Times of India.

Transport commissioner Bhaskar Rao says: "Less than 20% of vehicles go for emission testing every six months. Hence, the details of vehicle owners like phone numbers and e-mail (addresses) would be collected. All the 500 emission-testing centres would be electronically linked.”

At least 800 vehicles are registered and 1 200 driving licences are issued every day in Bangalore.