Implementation of an electronic payments switch and its impacts: case of Mozambique
Keywords:
Inclusão Financeira, Pagamentos Electrónicos, Rede Única Nacional, SIMOrede, Switch de Pagamentos, TARAbstract
This article aims to understand and describe the implementation process of an electronic payment switch as well as discuss its impacts. The research is based on the Mozambique National Electronic Payment Switch (SIMOrede) as a case study. It is a qualitative study, primarily based on document analysis and bibliographic review. The Actor- Network Theory (ANT) was applied to examine and describe the reasons behind the creation of the SIMO network and the steps taken for its establishment. The findings indicate that this switch was established to optimize the use and expansion of electronic payment infrastructures in order to promote financial inclusion. The research highlights that the implementation of the SIMO network allowed the sharing of infrastructure and interoperability of electronic payments and concluded that SIMOrede has positive impacts on the national financial system and on end users due to cost reduction, flexible access to POSs terminals and ATMs, security operations enhancement and flexibility of payments, thus contributing to boosting financial inclusion.
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References
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