Experts foresee rise in mobile wallet transactions

AMMAN — Subscription to mobile wallets is expected to witness a large increase in Jordan in the near future as more users are going online to settle their bills via  eFAWATEERcom, which  enables clients to inquire about, review and settle their bills online, industry experts said on Sunday.

Indicating that allowing the settlement of bills via mobile wallets that are linked to eFAWATEERcom is in the final stages, experts said the adoption of mobile wallets is set to increase as more people are using their smart devices to complete financial transactions online.

“Currently, we have around 5,000 transactions per day via eFAWATEERcom and the number is growing. Transactions worth JD30 million have been paid through the eFAWATEERcom service since its launch in 2014,” Samar Al Banna, chief commercial officer at MadfooatCom Electronic Payments Company, which was certified by the Central Bank of Jordan to launch the eFAWATEERcom service, said at a press conference Sunday.

During the event, the Arab Advisors Group announced that it would hold the Technology Convergence Conference 2016 on May 30.

According to Banna, more than 80 per cent of those who use eFAWATEERcom use it via their mobiles or tablets. 

Corporate Communications Director at Zain Jordan Tareq Bitar  said a boom in the use of mobile wallets is expected as some 75 per cent of Jordanians remain unbanked.

“Mobile wallets offer a great alternative for those unbanked as they can settle many payments by simply using their mobile devices to make transactions,” Bitar said.

According to Banna, users can pay online for services by 53 billers including utilities and several institutions and associations.

Bitar added that the launch of the 4G services in Jordan is playing a key role in the introduction of new technologies.

Stressing the importance of the event to be held by the Arab Advisers Group on May 30-31, Rana Dababneh, ‎PR, CSR, and corporate communication director at Orange Jordan, said the event provides a platform for experts from the industry to share views and expertise on latest trends in the industry.

It provides room for participants to discuss means on how to further advance the ICT sector in Jordan.

General Manager of the Arab Advisers Group Faisal Hakki said the conference, scheduled to be held under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya, will address several issues including technology, media and telecommunications growth, disruptive business models, impact of digitisation on business and society, internet of things, big data and cloud computing, among others.

Participants at the event will also look into latest developments in the integration of healthcare sector and ICT. Several issues related to challenges the sector is facing in addition to opportunities will be discussed during the gathering, including App Economy, Hakki said.

He added that winners of a contest to select the best app based on the internet of things technology will be announced during the event.