Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 20 to note that the tax will be levied in U.S. currency, not Zimbabwean currency.

Zimbabwe has introduced a U.S. $0.05 tax per mobile money transaction, bringing the fee into line with taxes on the country's ATM and POS transactions, according to ITWebAfrica.

The government levy is related to a dispute between Zimbabwe's banks and EcoCash, a mobile money service with 3 million customers that is operated by telecom operator Econet Wireless, the website said. Econet had allegedly refused to open Ecocash for integration with the banking system in Zimbabwe, which had led to the banks asking Zimbawe's Central Bank to create regulation for an opeb playing field.

"Notwithstanding the positive impact of mobile banking services on the welfare of the financially excluded members of our society, this product should, however, conform to the tax principle of fairness," Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe's Finance Minister said, according to ITWebAfrica. "Hence, the current tax on similar products such as ATM and POS should apply."

Similar taxes on mobile transactions exist in Kenya and Uganda, the news outlet added.

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