How to Connect Directly to the EcoCash API for Payments

In Zimbabwe, EcoCash has become the go-to mobile money solution, used by millions for everyday transactions. For developers, integrating EcoCash directly into websites or apps opens the door to receiving payments seamlessly from customers. The good news is that if you are familiar with PHP—or any other programming language—you can start accepting EcoCash payments with relatively little effort.

Why Integrate EcoCash Directly?

Direct integration offers several advantages:

1. Instant Payments: Customers can pay directly from their EcoCash wallet without relying on third-party intermediaries.
2. Automated Reconciliation: Your system can automatically confirm payments, reducing manual tracking and errors.
3. Enhanced Customer Experience: Smooth, familiar payment methods increase trust and conversion rates.
4. Scalable Solution: As your business grows, the integration can handle multiple transactions simultaneously.

Getting Started with the EcoCash API

If you’re familiar with PHP, the EcoCash Open API PHP Library makes the process straightforward. This library provides prebuilt functions for connecting to EcoCash services, initiating transactions, and handling payment notifications.

Step 1: Install the Library

Using Composer, install the library in your PHP project:

composer require dexterwura/ecocash-open-api-php

If you’re not using Composer, you can manually include the library files in your project.

Step 2: Configure Your Credentials

The library requires your EcoCash API credentials:

$ecocash = new Ecocash([
    'api_key' => 'YOUR_API_KEY',
    'api_secret' => 'YOUR_API_SECRET',
    'environment' => 'sandbox' // or 'production'
]);

These credentials can be obtained from the EcoCash Developer Portal after registering your application.

Step 3: Initiate a Payment Request

Once configured, you can create a payment request for your customers:

$payment = $ecocash->createPayment([
    'amount' => 50.00,
    'reference' => 'ORDER12345',
    'msisdn' => '2637XXXXXXXX', // Customer's EcoCash number
    'callback_url' => 'https://yourwebsite.com/ecocash-callback'
]);

This sends a payment prompt to the customer, who can then approve the transaction from their EcoCash wallet.

Step 4: Handle Payment Notifications

EcoCash will notify your system once a transaction is completed. You can capture this via a callback endpoint:

if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST') {
    $data = json_decode(file_get_contents('php://input'), true);
    if ($data['status'] === 'SUCCESS') {
        // Update your order or record payment
    }
}

Step 5: Customize for Your Needs

Even if you don’t use PHP, translating the logic to another language (Python, Node.js, Java, etc.) is straightforward. The main steps—authenticate, create payment, listen for callbacks—remain the same across languages.

Tips for Smooth Integration

1. Use Sandbox First: Test all transactions in EcoCash’s sandbox environment before going live.
2. Secure Your Endpoints: Ensure callback URLs are protected and verify the authenticity of notifications.
3. Handle Errors Gracefully: Inform customers if a transaction fails and provide clear instructions.
4. Keep Logs: Maintain transaction logs to troubleshoot issues and reconcile payments.

Connecting directly to the EcoCash API empowers businesses and developers in Zimbabwe to accept mobile money payments efficiently. With the PHP library or a language of your choice, setting up EcoCash payments is manageable even for small teams. Once integrated, your customers enjoy seamless payment experiences, and your system gains automated, real-time payment tracking.