SmartSwitch Botswana is blazing a trail for financial inclusion with a fintech solution that puts dignity and financial services into the hands of food voucher beneficiaries. Since its establishment in 2006, SmartSwitch has expanded its reach to over 75,000 beneficiaries in underserved communities across Botswana.

A subsidiary of Lesaka Technologies, SmartSwitch Botswana holds exclusive rights to deploy the Universal Electronic Payment System (UEPS) in the country. The UEPS has also been endorsed by the central banks of Namibia, Ghana, and South Africa as an accredited national payment platform.

At the heart of SmartSwitch's offering is a secure, biometric-enabled smart card platform designed for the unbanked and underbanked. This technology allows food grant recipients to safely receive, store, and spend funds at local merchants-while also earning interest on unused balances.

The system was developed following a Ministry of Local Government tender aimed at replacing the country's outdated, paper-based food basket system. That legacy system was inefficient, offered no choice, and carried a social stigma.

"The Ministry wanted to empower beneficiaries with choice -what food they could buy, when to collect it, and where to shop. The second goal was to restore dignity," said France Mabiletsa, Managing Director of SmartSwitch Botswana.

"Although we applied cutting-edge technology to the challenge, we also knew we needed to create a deeply human solution to address the audience's needs. We had to provide beneficiaries with choice and restore their dignity."

That mission has been realized.

Beneficiaries no longer wait in the sun with wheelbarrows for pre-packaged goods. Instead, they receive a monthly allowance on a SmartSwitch card, usable at over 1,200 local shops, from general dealers to corner stores. Each transaction is verified using biometric authentication, ensuring privacy and security. The card resembles a standard debit card-eliminating any visible indication of social assistance.

In the first three years alone, more than 50,000 people-many previously unbanked-were integrated into Botswana's formal financial system. Today, over 75,000 have access to smart banking features, including offline-capable POS devices that allow secure transactions in remote areas.

Merchants are also benefiting. Payments are settled within 48 hours, improving cash flow and customer service.

"The system has helped our business grow. We serve more customers, and we get paid quickly and securely," said Kennete Mmusinyane of Obed Supermarket in Gumare, Okavango District.

With a strong track record of reliability and innovation, SmartSwitch is now preparing for the next phase. As a new government tender approaches, the company plans to roll out upgraded services and enhanced devices.

"We're not standing still. We're reinvesting in the system to do more for more people," said Mabiletsa. "It is our aim to continue to be a trusted partner to the government, a reliable ally to merchants, and a gateway to dignity, choice, and empowerment for thousands of people in Botswana."