An Ethiopian technology provider has partnered with two financial institutions in the country to launch a pilot of a mobile money service called HelloCash.

BelCash Technology Solutions PLC is working with Lion International Bank and Somali Micro Finance on a system that is intended to bring financial services to all Ethiopians and give them the ability to make bank account deposits and withdrawals as well as account transfers and payments, according to local media reports. At the moment, only existing or new customers of the two financial institiions involved can participate in the pilot. 

The companies currently are testing the pilot in three undisclosed portions of the country and it involves some agent outlets and branches. 

BelCash said its system is meant to be interoperable so that consumers with any bank can use the service and send money to each other.