Airtel, Ecobank collaborate on mobile-banking in 9 countries

DigitalSENSE Business News/Correspondent:

Bharti Airtel with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, has entered a partnership with Ecobank Transnational Incorporated with presence in 34 countries in Africa, are extending their partnership to Gabon and Sierra Leone this month to deliver Airtel Money.

This brings the total of countries to enjoy Airtel Money to nine (9), just as the partnership is already effective in seven African countries, namely Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Niger, Zambia and Kenya.

DigitalSENSE Business News also gathered that this agreement, millions of Airtel and Ecobank customers across Africa will be able to access secure, convenient and instant mobile financial services.

The partnership enables Airtel customers to conduct a variety of mobile transactions. This offering which is subject to regulatory approval in each market, enables Airtel Money deposits and withdrawals at any Ecobank branch, utility bill payments and two-way money transfers between Airtel Money and Ecobank. Customers will also be able to view their bank account balances and statements in real time via Airtel Money.

“Ecobank is committed to bringing financial services to all Africans including the unbanked and under banked through collaboration with major partner-Telcos like Airtel,” said Patrick Akinwuntan, Ecobank’s Group Executive Director, Domestic Bank.

He also said that all required to enjoy this service is an Ecobank account and an Airtel line registered on Airtel Money in markets where regulatory approvals are in place.

Mr. Akinwuntan commented further that the partnership’s extensive reach affords customer convenience, particularly for cross-border transactions and remittances across Africa.  “

Chidi Okpala, the Director of Airtel Money Africa, said this partnership is a further demonstration of Airtel Africa’s commitment to provide affordable, simple and innovative solutions for consumers across Africa.

“At Airtel, we will continue to offer locally relevant M-Commerce solutions with more partners like Ecobank in order to enhance the daily lives of our customers,” he said.

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