CEDA LAUNCHES USSD PLATFORM

THURSDAY 22 APRIL 2021

PRESS RELEASE

CEDA LAUNCHES *133# USSD PLATFORM FOR CLIENTS

• The new delivery channel is part of CEDA’s digital transformation agenda
• Expected to reduce branch visits for clients

GABORONE – CEDA this morning introduced and launched the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) which is a delivery channel and part of CEDA’s digital transformation agenda. The project is an outcome from the 2018-2021 Strategy to improve customer experience through the use of technology.

The USSD code which will be used is *133# and is easily accessible to all clients ensuring customers are always abreast with the information they need about their facility.

According to the Agency’s CEO, Mr Thabo Thamane, the new USSD platform is one way that the Agency continues to strive to improve the way they serve their clients and offering them convenience at their fingertips, as it allows the Agency to dispatch messages to all CEDA clients who have registered on the platform.

“CEDA USSD is primarily for CEDA Customers who need access to their business transactions anytime, anywhere. It is a digital touch point that enhances customer experience,” he said.

The benefits of having a USSD platform include but not limited to the following;

• Improved customer service.
• Convenient and user friendly.
• Improved CEDA presence across the country.
• Secure financial transactions making it easier to service loans hence improving loan book performance.
• Not restricted to high-end phones (smart phone) even normal phones (sedi-lame) can do the trick.
• Integration with mobile money ensuring that the non-banked can still use the facility.
• Data exchanged in real time and clients able to get immediate response.

As it is, the CEDA USSD platform enables a customer to check and monitor their loan application status remotely. It enables customers to check their loan balance anytime as well as to service their loans by using their bank cards and all mobile money services. The customer is also able to calculate how much they qualify for and also determine the period and how much to pay to service the loan through the use of a loan calculator, which is available on the platform. What this means is that the client does not need to come to CEDA offices or branch for such information.

“I therefore urge all our customers to embrace this new development as it is one of the ways we are trying to improve our service delivery. The platform is readily available in customer’s hands, saving them time, and reducing their risk to exposure to COVID-19 infections.  This platform will immediately reduce congestion and queues, which have beset the Agency especially after the launch of the revised CEDA guidelines,” said Mr Thamane.

This service is available to users 24 hours and can be accessed through any mobile network. Furthermore, it will be free to clients for the first year of operation.

END