By: Mpho Shelile
Maseru – In a landmark move to streamline tax compliance and enhance accessibility, Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has partnered with Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) to introduce Unayo Mobile Services, a digital solution aimed at transforming tax payments in Lesotho.
Unayo Mobile Services is designed to mitigate these challenges by enabling users to pay their taxes through a mobile platform, which is accessible, efficient, convenient, and user-friendly.
Unayo Mobile Services is built on a mobile interface that allows taxpayers to register, view their tax status, and make payments in real-time. The platform integrates with RSL’s tax management systems, allowing users to access various tax-related services.
Users simply download the Unayo app, register using their national ID or tax ID, and can immediately begin making payments. The platform’s intuitive design guides users through each step, ensuring that the process is as straightforward as possible.
The 4 pillars on which Unayo will be operating are the USSD option, the Unayo App, Unayo Internet Banking, and Unayo Agents. These platforms will enable individuals and businesses to make their tax payments efficiently, securely, and swiftly.
Speaking at the launch event, RSL’s Commissioner General, ‘Mathabo Mokoko, emphasized the importance of simplifying tax processes to foster compliance and encourage economic participation. “We are committed to ensuring that every Mosotho, regardless of their location, has an accessible and convenient way to meet their tax obligations. Unayo Mobile Services is not only a payment platform but also a gateway towards formal financial inclusion,” she remarked.
She added that with this launch they are ensuring that every Mosotho has access to a tax payments system that is more efficient and secure, further adding that the integration of the E-payment solutions is a bold move towards delivery a series of tax to their customers.
Mokoko concludes, “The integration aligns with our strategic objective of achieving 95% operational efficiencies on all core tax and customs processes; as well as creating a memorable experience in all taxpayer touchpoints.”
SLB, known for its robust digital banking services, provides the underlying infrastructure for Unayo, ensuring that it is secure, reliable, and capable of handling high transaction volumes.
CEO at SLB, Anton Nicolaisen highlighted that this initiative represents more than just technological upgrade, “it is a forward step toward modernizing Lesotho’s tax collection system and strengthening the foundation for a more efficient, transparent and inclusive financial landscape”.
He said through this partnership, SLB is actively supporting the government’s goals of improving public service delivery and enhancing tax compliance, which will empower Lesotho to fund critical projects that drive sustainable development,
“for end users, whether it be individuals or businesses, this integration means tax payment process that is easier, faster and more accessible, meaning no more physical paper work.”
Unayo Mobile Services brings a host of benefits, especially for small business owners and citizens in remote areas who previously had to travel long distances to settle their tax payments. Key advantages include:
- Unayo’s mobile platform allows taxpayers to make payments from anywhere, eliminating the need for physical visits to RSL offices thus reducing travel and administrative costs.
- For many unbanked individuals in rural Lesotho, Unayo is an introduction to formal financial services, potentially opening doors to other banking opportunities.
- Tax payments are processed in real time, reducing delays and ensuring timely compliance.
- Transactions on Unayo are secure, with users able to view their transaction history and receive digital receipts.
One of the primary goals of Unayo Mobile Services is to reach underserved populations in rural Lesotho, where physical infrastructure and access to financial institutions can be limited. By enabling tax payments via mobile phones, the platform reduces dependence on traditional banking facilities, providing an essential service to people who might otherwise be excluded from the formal tax system.
RSL and SLB are also planning awareness campaigns to educate users in rural areas about Unayo’s functionalities. These campaigns will involve training sessions, community meetings, and digital literacy workshops to ensure that citizens can navigate the platform confidently, consequently creating a culture of compliance and financial responsibility, starting with tax obligations.
The launch of Unayo Mobile Services comes as part of RSL’s broader mandate to adopt digital solutions and enhance transparency in tax administration. By leveraging technology, RSL aims to reduce cash transactions, improve accountability, and minimize instances of tax evasion.
This aligns with global trends in tax modernization, where digital solutions play a pivotal role in simplifying tax processes, broadening the tax base, and increasing revenue collection.
Mokoko reiterated RSL’s commitment to innovation: “With Unayo, we are not only easing the tax payment process but also building a stronger, more transparent tax system. Our goal is to create a framework where every taxpayer contributes to national development in a fair and transparent manner.”
Looking ahead, RSL and SLB have ambitious plans to expand Unayo Mobile Services, including the potential addition of more financial services and cross-border payment options.
Such expansion could position Lesotho as a regional leader in digital tax solutions, showcasing how partnerships between public institutions and private banks can drive inclusive growth and modernization.
The partnership between RSL and SLB in launching Unayo Mobile Services sets a precedent for collaborative digital initiatives in Lesotho. By making tax compliance easier and more accessible, this initiative not only strengthens Lesotho’s tax administration but also takes significant strides toward bridging the digital divide. Through Unayo, RSL and SLB are charting a path toward a more inclusive, financially empowered Lesotho where everyone, from urban business owners to rural farmers, can contribute to the country’s development with confidence and ease.
This collaboration seeks to improve service delivery and reach even the most remote areas of the country, aligning with the government’s broader goals of digital transformation and financial inclusivity.
The partnership between RSL and SLB is a strategic step forward in addressing challenges that taxpayers in rural areas face. Lack of access to tax service centres, difficulties in making payments, and the complexities of tax compliance have often posed hurdles for many citizens, particularly in rural communities.