Dubai-based mobile connectivity provider tpay has secured a licence from Egypt’s National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to offer direct carrier billing (DCB) for government payments, enabling citizens to pay for essential services using their mobile balance or monthly phone bill.
The agreement allows Egyptians to settle electricity and utility bills, traffic fines, and civil registry fees directly through their mobile numbers, removing the need for bank accounts or payment cards. The move is expected to significantly expand access to digital government services, particularly for citizens who are unbanked but own mobile phones.
With mobile and mobile internet penetration nearing universal levels, and 76.3 percent of Egyptian adults already holding bank accounts, the initiative opens a major opportunity to broaden digital payment adoption using existing mobile infrastructure.
The framework agreement was signed by Ahmed Nabil, General Manager of tpay, and Mohamed Shamroukh, President of NTRA, marking a critical step toward operationalising mobile-based government payments nationwide.
“This development marks a turning point in enabling secure and frictionless payments for government services via mobile numbers,” said Isik Uman, Group CEO of tpay. “Through this licensed framework, we are laying the foundation for a national digital payment channel that broadens access, improves convenience, and supports Egypt’s evolving digital economy. Our mission is to simplify transactions and bring essential services closer to every citizen.”
The licence reinforces tpay’s role as a key enabler of mobile-based government payments in Egypt, providing a scalable and trusted pathway for public sector fee collection as more services transition to digital channels.
