Mobile digital payments march is on, and it’s unstoppable. Even when Juba city froze, shops closed, and streets were gripped by silent, palpable fear, the MTN MoMo parade strode on. Showing resilience in the face of adversity, our Direct Merchant Acquirers soldiered forward, driving MoMo Pay adoption amidst the Juba crisis.
Between February 10th and April 5th, 2024, Juba faced a wave of insecurity that significantly disrupted daily life and business operations. The period was marked by roadblocks across key areas like J1, Airport Road, and Thongpiny, along with random shootings, including one in Rajaf Payam. In response, the government imposed curfews, further limiting movement and shortening working hours. Even the MTN Head Office had to scale back operations.
For teams on the ground, including the RDM AFRICA BTL and direct sales teams, this was an especially testing time. As safety risks escalated, field activities were temporarily halted to protect our staff. Yet, in the face of fear, our teams remained unfazed. Whenever security conditions allowed, they mobilised swiftly, making the most of even the briefest window of opportunity. They engaged customers, drove activations, and on-boarded merchants. Their commitment and adaptability were nothing short of heroic.
What emerged from the crisis was a powerful story of fintech relevance and resilience. As movement became increasingly restricted, MTN MoMo services like Jedco utility payments, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) transfers, and Merchant Payments saw a sharp rise in usage. Our teams positioned MoMo as the safe, convenient, and reliable answer to the city’s mounting constraints. In these trying times, MoMo became more than a service — it became a lifeline.
By delivering secure digital financial services, we didn’t just support communities through the storm, we proved fintech’s role in expanding access and ensuring safety when it’s needed most. This period tested our limits, but it proved something bigger: with the right tools and a committed team, challenges become more than hurdles; they are opportunities to embody our purpose, go beyond KPIs, and create real impact… even at personal cost.
For seventeen years now, we at RDM Africa have left behind footprints of lasting change wherever we have stepped. Which footprint are you leaving behind?
