The Role of Orange Money and MyZaka in Transforming Botswana’s Informal Sector

Abstract

Objectives: This article investigates the role of mobile money platforms specifically Orange Money and MyZaka in advancing financial inclusion within Botswana’s informal economy. It explores how these platforms affect access to finance, gender equality, and informal entrepreneurship in a country where digital finance is rapidly expanding but remains uneven. The study is important because it addresses a critical gap in understanding how technology-driven financial inclusion operates in under-researched Southern African contexts. Prior Work: The study builds on recent research into digital financial inclusion in Africa, particularly critiques highlighting unequal access, gender disparities, and platform limitations in informal economies. Approach: A qualitative, exploratory methodology was employed, using secondary data from 23 peer-reviewed academic and institutional sources published between 2019 and 2025. Data sources included regulatory reports, scholarly literature, and Fintech usage data from development agencies and financial platforms. Results: The findings reveal that (I) mobile money platforms have improved basic financial access but fall short of integrating users into formal financial systems; (II) women face digital exclusion due to literacy gaps, limited device access, and social norms; and (III) fragmentation, rural infrastructure deficits, and weak regulatory coordination continue to hinder mobile money’s transformative potential. Implications: The paper offers policy and regulatory recommendations relevant to researchers, financial authorities, and Fintech stakeholders. Value: The study contributes original, Botswana-focused insights into how digital finance link with the informal sector, gender, and institutional design in African contexts.