The Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) has signed an agreement with mobile phone company, Digicel, to enable its customers to purchase power through Digicel’s Mobile Money Wallet app.

E.P.C. Chief Executive Officer, Tologata Tile Tuimaleali’ifano, said during the signing that Samoa’s electricity consumers will now be able to buy prepaid electricity as well as check their remaining balance using the E.P.C.-created Energy Insight app.

“As long as money is deposited to Digicel’s Money Mobile App, there is nothing else to worry about,” he said.

Digicel Samoa Chief Executive Officer, Farid Mohammed, said the Energy Insight app represents and encapsulates his company’s core pillars: focusing on best quality customer experience; simplicity of the app; and using digital technology.

He said that Digicel’s aim is for the people of Samoa to exercise control at the palm of their hands.

He congratulated the E.P.C. for what he described as an “innovative solution”.

“We understand that majority of the E.P.C. customers in Samoa are in prepaid cash power. This new innovation solution designed by E.P.C., in which Digicel is proudly associated with in providing the connectivity and empowering the gateway through mobile money, is believed to be a game changer in the market,” he said.

Tologata agreed and said that it is a very important step for their consumers, as it made it easier and convenient for them as the service is now made available at their fingertips.

The number of smartphones in Samoa has increased significantly, added Mr Mohammed, since the launch of 4G and the introduction of the Tui-Samoa Cable which expanded internet accessibility.

“If you’re at home and your cash power runs out, you can use the Energy Insight app to buy cash power using Digicel’s Mobile Money,” he said. 

Customers of the National Bank of Samoa will also benefit from the E.P.C.-Digicel partnership, with Mr. Mohammed revealing that the service can be linked to customer’s personal bank accounts, through Digicel’s Mobile Money Wallet service. 

“So this is truly bringing accessibility and convenience to the doorsteps of the customers by sitting at home, you can go through the entire process of transferring money from the bank account to the mobile wallet to buying cash power,” he added. 

The addition of the E.P.C. cash power service to the Digicel-owned app follows that of the e-commerce platform Maua, which was launched by local firm Sky High in August this year.