In a significant development aimed at modernizing municipal services and enhancing transparency in revenue management, SAMA Money, a Malian fintech company, and the Mairie du 5e arrondissement de Bamako, signed a partnership agreement on October 29, 2026. This collaboration allows residents to pay communal taxes and fees using their mobile phones, marking a substantial shift towards digitalization of public services.
The signing ceremony, held at the Mairie, brought together various stakeholders including administrative authorities, traditional and religious leaders, local elected officials, and representatives from women's and youth groups, as well as media outlets. The event was attended by Daouda Coulibaly, CEO of SAMA Money, and Amadou Ouattara, Mayor of the 5th arrondissement. This initiative is expected to reduce cash transactions and facilitate user interactions with municipal services.
According to Daouda Coulibaly, this partnership will not only enhance the efficiency of tax collection but also provide citizens with a convenient and secure method of fulfilling their tax obligations. He emphasized that agents responsible for tax collection will continue to perform their duties, while SAMA Money's teams will be available to assist citizens, particularly market traders, in using the new digital payment system.
Mayor Amadou Ouattara highlighted that the digitalization of communal payments has been a project in the works since 2017. He drew inspiration from his experience in Kigali, Rwanda, where he observed the positive impact of digital technologies on infrastructure development and modernization. The partnership between SAMA Money and the Mairie du 5e arrondissement aims to leverage technology to foster transparency, efficiency, and proximity in public service delivery.
SAMA Money, a 100% Malian fintech specializing in money transfers and mobile payments, holds the unique license as an Electronic Money Issuer (EME) in Mali. With over 20,000 points of sale and a million clients, the company's services are accessible through USSD codes, mobile applications, and a web platform. This partnership underscores the company's commitment to expanding its suite of services, which includes various payment solutions and collaborations with strategic partners.
The digital payment system is poised to improve the traceability of revenues and the security of transactions, thanks to the modernization of working methods for municipal agents. This development aligns with efforts to enhance public financial management and citizen engagement in Mali. By embracing digital technologies, the Mairie du 5e arrondissement and SAMA Money are setting a precedent for other municipalities in the country.
The partnership between SAMA Money and the Mairie du 5e arrondissement represents a significant milestone in Mali's digital transformation journey. As the country continues to explore innovative solutions to improve public services and financial inclusion, such collaborations are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital governance and economic development in Mali.
Key points
- SAMA Money and Mairie du 5e arrondissement have partnered to enable communal tax payments via mobile phones.
- The partnership aims to modernize municipal services and increase transparency in revenue management.
- The digital payment system is expected to improve traceability and security of transactions.
