WiPay, an e-commerce platform which allows users to make, accept and process digital payments, was officially launched in Jamaica last Thursday at the AC Hotel in Kingston.

Jamaica thus became the latest Caribbean country to embrace the Trinidadian technology solutions company that aims to simplify e-commerce for micro-small, medium and large businesses.

“While consumers in the US, Europe and many other parts of the world are enjoying the convenience of e-commerce, e-payments and an overall e-world, many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are being left behind and are still operating primarily with hard cash and other paper-based services,” said chief executive officer (CEO) Aldwyn Wayne.

He acknowledged that with the Government of Jamaica’s increased focus on building a modern economy through digital payments, the country is making good headway to developing the right ecosystem for economic growth through e-commerce.

Wayne then indicated that WiPay was elated to be a part of this technological advancement in Jamaica and that will move the current e-commerce system into the first world.

WiPay’s online payment system caters to businesses who want to sell their products and services online, WiPay enabling them to accept both credit and debit cards, bank accounts and cash online from “anyone, anywhere, anytime”.

To utilise WiPay, the company has to download the WiPay plug-in and add it on their website. Alternatively, if a company does not have an official website, then it can use the Zwillo Invoice application and send an invoice to a customer who can then pay with a credit card, bank account or with a cash voucher.

“WiPay Technology solutions enable the judiciary in Trinidad and Tobago to provide online payments for all its customers both banked, underbanked and unbanked,” Wayne said. He added that even without a credit card, customers can still be able to utilise WiPay by topping-up their accounts either online or by bank transfers.

Minster of Science, Energy and Technology, Fayval Williams, who was one of the speakers at the launch, said she was encouraged by concept of WiPay.

“WiPay is sparking a revolution here in Jamaica. Once you begin to make online easier, more people will embrace it. Our bank system is inaccessible to a lot of people, any way to have them get online and partake in e-commerce for the first time, is a step in the right direction.”

Minister Williams then shared with those present at the launch her personal experience with online payment systems in other countries.

“I recently went to Estonia, and in that country 99% of the government services are online. They even vote online. In Jamaica the government recently signed an ICT bill that will apply an online platform to the entire government. I am excited to be here because we have to move aggressively forward.

“The steps in achieving this is firstly to begin with government. Make government more efficient, then look at online services and access for citizens while educating the population on cyber security measures.

“Thanks to Lasco who have jumped on board to bring this technology to the people. My ministry is prepared to help in the deployment of this technology. I am prepared to help businesses grow and cut through the red tape. WiPay provides a useful tool that we all can benefit from.”

WiPay Jamaica, a subsidiary of WiPay Caribbean Limited, is expected to begin providing this new payment system within the next three months.