Two Lao tech companies signed an agreement that allows users to pay for taxi rides and electric vehicle charging through a single mobile app.
On 23 March, Star Fintech, operator of the Umoney mobile payment platform, and LOCA, which runs a ride-hailing and EV charging network, signed a cooperation agreement in Vientiane that will allow LOCA users to pay for taxi rides and charging sessions directly through the Umoney app, without handling cash or switching between platforms.
The partnership comes as rising global fuel prices continue to squeeze drivers and transport operators across the region. For many, the shift to electric vehicles is increasingly an economic decision rather than an environmental one, and LOCA has been steadily expanding its EV charging infrastructure to meet that demand.

By integrating Umoney into its payment flow, the company hopes to reduce one of the remaining practical hurdles to EV adoption in Laos.
Umoney currently offers a broad suite of financial services, including money transfers, utility bill payments covering electricity, water and home internet, mobile top-ups, data packages, loans, insurance, and Lao Airlines ticket bookings, all without transaction fees.
To mark the launch, both companies plan to roll out promotional offers and discounts for customers who pay via Umoney on the LOCA platform, though specific terms have not yet been disclosed.


