Egypt has launched anew serviceallowing citizens toinquire about and pay electricity billsonlineviatheFawry e-payment system, Egypt's Electricity Holding Company (EEHC)said.

The service is now available via the company’s official websitewhere people can register their phone number and choose a power distribution firm they belong to from nine companies nationwide. They then register an e-payment code on their bill.

The move is aimed at “saving citizens’ time and effort and offering payment methods that go in line with the state’s digital transformation policies,” EEHC Vice-President Khaled El-Destawy said in statement on Wednesday.

The step is part of a broader government push to promote e-payment systems and reduce reliance on cash.

The new service, offered through the Egyptiandigital billpaymentscompanyFawry, also comes at a time when many Egyptians are staying at home to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Payments can also be received through more than 15 digital wallets via telecom operators and banks. These include Vodafone Cash, Orange Cash, Etisalat Cash, and e-wallet services from banks including the National Bank of Egypt, Bank of Alexandria, Banque Misr, CIB, QNB and Housing and Development Bank, said Ashraf Sabry, CEO of Fawry.

Payments can also be made through 10,000 ATMs and 141,000 Farwy outlets using payment cards, according to Sabry.

The company is also planning to offer a service for recharging prepaid electricity cards at home soon, he said.

Fawry will also announce the availability of charging prepaid electricity cards from home, he added.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that Egypthas a strongdigitalisation potentialas the country works to push forward its digital transformation and offer more electronic government services.



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