Dolphin Financial Services targets cross-border remittances

HARARE - Dolphin Financial Services is positioning itself to become a key player in the cross-border remittances market as it expands services aimed at Zimbabweans living and working abroad.

The strategy was unveiled during the official launch of the Dolphin Group in Zimbabwe, where company executives outlined plans to simplify money transfers between Zimbabwe and other countries, particularly South Africa.

Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dolphin Group says it has already built a substantial customer base and intends to grow further through expanded connectivity services, digital payment solutions and partnerships with financial institutions.

Speaking during the launch, Dolphin Head of Commercial Services Edmore Mtisi said remittance services would form a major part of the company's growth strategy.

"Our next priority is cross-border remittance. We want to make it easier for people living abroad to send money home to Zimbabwe and support their families," said Mtisi.

The company said it intends to work with banking partners to facilitate quicker settlement of cross-border transactions, subject to regulatory approval and partner readiness.

At the centre of the initiative is Dolphin Pay, the group's digital wallet and payments platform.

According to the company, customers can use Dolphin Pay to purchase airtime, selected data bundles and digital vouchers, while also funding wallets through existing mobile money platforms such as EcoCash and InnBucks.

The platform also allows users to pay for Dolphin subscriptions, recharge South African mobile numbers and send airtime to family members and friends.

"Connectivity is one part of modern-day life. Customers also want fast and simple ways to pay for services and access digital products," said Mtisi.

Dolphin is also expanding its financial services through Dolphin Bureau de Change, which offers authorised foreign currency exchange facilities.

The company says the service is designed to assist travellers moving between Zimbabwe and South Africa by providing convenient access to foreign currency.

"In addition to digital payments, Dolphin Financial Services includes the Bureau de Change service. This addresses a practical customer need, particularly for people travelling between Zimbabwe and South Africa," Mtisi said.

"Just as a traveller needs mobile connectivity, they need access to appropriate currency for their journey. Through our services, we aim to make authorised foreign currency exchange more convenient and accessible."

The financial services strategy is being supported by a growing telecommunications offering.

Dolphin has already launched data-only SIM cards and Fixed Wireless Access services targeting households and small businesses in Zimbabwe.

The company plans to introduce a mobile SIM card operating under the 0751 prefix, providing voice, SMS and mobile data services.

Future expansion plans include extending wireless connectivity solutions, particularly in areas where fibre infrastructure is unavailable, while working with infrastructure partners to improve last-mile connectivity.

In South Africa, Dolphin operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator through Dolphin SA SIM, targeting migrants and travellers.

The company says the model allows customers to organise communications services before travelling and remain connected upon arrival.

"We want travellers to arrive connected. With Dolphin Bureau de Change, we want them to arrive ready to pay," said Mtisi.

"Together these services reflect our understanding of the customer journey. We do not simply look at individual products. We look at the real-life challenges our customers are trying to solve."

Mtisi said the company's competitive advantage lies in integrating connectivity, payments and travel-related services into a single customer-focused ecosystem.

Dolphin says its broader African expansion strategy is driven by following its customers into new markets rather than simply expanding geographically.