MTN Group and MMI Holdings, an insurance-based financial services player have launched aYo, a micro insurance solution for their customers across the Africa to increase penetration on the continent.
Commenting on the partnership, Herman Singh, Group Chief Digital Officer of MTN said that “as MTN, we are excited about this partnership as it gives us an opportunity to further expand our bouquet of mobile financial services offerings across our footprint. Working with MMI, and harnessing the rapid growth of mobile on the continent, we will be able to leverage our core competencies, strong brands and scale to deliver much-needed insurance solutions to our customers.”
Danie Botes, Group Chief Operating Officer of MMI Holdings remarked that “the partnership with MTN will create new revenue streams for MMI, help achieve significant scale, explore opportunities in new markets and segments, and capitalise on the growth of micro insurance on the continent. The partnership will also allow us to further extend our client-centric vision of financial wellness across the Africa continent.”
The aYo offering will be rolled out in a number of African countries from the end of 2016. Launched in 1994, the MTN Group has subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. As of 30 June 2016, MTN recorded 232.6 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia.
By working with MMI Holdings Limited, the two firms will expand the reach of MMI’s client-facing brands including insurance and wellness & rewards programmes.