Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) and Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) have launched a paymentsintegration solution platform in line with their mission to contribute towards the country’s digitalisation, improving public service delivery and enhancing tax compliance.
For the end-user, whether they are individuals or businesses, this integration means a tax payment progress that is simpler, faster and more accessiblewith no more physical paperwork and long queues at RSL offices. Instead, taxpayers can make their payments conveniently from their phones, saving both time and the costs associated with tax compliance.
In her remarks at the launch last week, RSL commissioner general ‘Mathabo Mokoko said,“We gather here to officially launch an outstandingbreakthrough in our journey towards a more inclusive, accessible, efficient, and secure tax payment system for all Basotho.
“The integration of payment solutions with SLB is a bold step move towards delivering a seamless payment experience to taxpayers, and I am honoured to celebrate this achievement with you,”she noted.
Mokoko indicated that RSL’s partnership with SLB goes a long way from the times when they used to file tax returns at the bank. The bank has continued to be a trusted partner to date, collaborating effortlessly in this journey to grow the economy and changing lives.
She further announced the introduction of four new payment platforms under this integration: 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. Our main goal with this programme has always been to transform the payment experience by enabling seamless transactions that reduce the complexities and challenges previously associated with tax payments.
“Integrating with SLB adds to the foundational work we began by linking with the two major mobile networks in Lesotho. Together, we are creating robust systems where multiple payment platforms work in unison to facilitate tax and customs payments across commercial banks, mobile money services, and agent networks,”Mokoko observed.
She pointed out that the integration aims to improve service delivery by centralising paymentprocesses on a single, unified platform, significantly enhancing the efficiency of tax and customs payment processing.
In addition, the integration aligns with their strategic objective of achieving 95 percentoperational efficiencies on all core tax and customs processes; as well as creating a memorable experience in all taxpayer touch points.
“Essentially as the RSL, we aim to deliver improved, convenient, and user-friendly services to all taxpayers, reducing the time and effort required for making payments.
“Our new system incorporates auto-reconciliation features, which not only simplify the reporting of tax and customs receipts, but also enable thegeneration of accurate performance reports. The integration will ultimately minimise unreceipted payments, she stressed.
According to Mokoko, this capability enhances their internal operations, allowing the RSL to provide stakeholders with reliable data andperformance indicators to guide informed decisions.
For his part, the chief executive officer of Standard Lesotho Bank, Anton Nicolaisen, said the initiative represents more than just a technological upgrade.
He described it as a forward-looking step towardsmodernising Lesotho’s tax collection system and strengthening the foundation for a more efficient, transparent and inclusive financial landscape.
“By integrating RSL with our payments integrations solution platform, we are setting a new standard in how taxes are collected and managed in Lesotho through an intelligent banking platform.
“This is not only about digitilising payments; it’s about transforming an entire ecosystem to support Lesotho’s national development goals. The collaboration between government, financial institutions, and the private sector paves the way for future innovations that will benefit all Basotho,” Nicolaisen said.
He noted that through this partnership, both entities are actively supporting the government’s goal of improving public service delivery and enhancing tax compliance. As a result, this securepredictable revenue stream will empower thenation to fund critical projects that drive sustainable development.
“SLB’s role in this initiative is to provide a robust, digital payment infrastructure that ensures seamless integration for RSL’s tax system. Ourpayments integration solutions platform facilitates secure, real-time processing of all tax payments, providing a scalable solution that meets global best practices.
“This collaboration not only enhances our own digital banking capabilities but also reinforces SLB’s position as a leader in financial technology in Lesotho. We are proud to contribute to the country’s digitalisation efforts, positioning Lesotho at the forefront of digital banking in the region,” Nicolaisen added.
