Airtel Tanzania customers can now send and receive money between Airtel and Tigo Tanzannia after former launched a cross border service that will enhance secure, fast and easy mode of money-transfer services between the companies’ mobile money wallets.
The service is the first of its kind and will benefit Tigo customers as well.
Commenting on the introduction, Airtel Tanzania Managing Director Sunil Colaso said, “This partnership with Tigo is a world first service allowing customers to transact directly to their e-wallet or respective recipient’s e-wallet. With off-net charges removed, it means lower cost and less hassle in withdrawing cash, therefore making the service more relevant to our customers’ needs. We are pleased to collaborate with other mobile operators in the market to ensure we continue to offer innovative and convenient services in Tanzania.”
Last month, telcos agreed to adopt interoperability, a move that is expected to solve the challenges associated with financial exclusion.
Tanzania as a country has been pushing for fianancial inclusion and last year the country launched a national financial inclusion framework to focus on priorities such as payment platforms, infrastructure and consumer protection, with an overall goal of giving half of Tanzania’s population access to formal financial services by 2016.
Mr. Colaso added, “In addition, our Airtel Money Agents will be able to seamlessly assist our customers with ‘cash in and out’ transactions with ease without retrieving payment confirmation messages from customers’ mobile phones. We believe the interoperability service will enhance security for agents and customers across the country.”
Speaking on the experience, Airtel Money agent at Kinondoni – Karafuu street Pasco Woiso said, “We are happy with the service that Airtel has introduced. I have used it for the first time today and I am already pleased with my customers’ response. This is a fantastic service that eliminates our customers complaints while reducing the time spent on a single customer.”