Airtel Africa, Standard Chartered Partner to Deepen Financial Access

Airtel Africa Plc on Thursday announced that it has partnered Standard Chartered Bank to drive financial inclusion across key markets in Africa.

The leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services on the continent said the partnership would help increase access to mobile financial services in 14 African countries it presently operates.

According to the statement signed by Simon O’Hara, Group Company Secretary, Airtel Africa and released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the telecommunications giant said the two companies will work together to develop new innovative products necessary to enhance accessibility of financial services and better serve the African people.

The company added that its Airtel money’s customers will be able to make real-time online deposits and withdrawals from Standard Chartered bank accounts, receive international money transfers directly to their wallets and access savings products amongst other services.

The telecoms giant said the new partnership supports its efforts at deepening its Airtel Money offerings across 19 million customer base.

Speaking on the new partnership, Raghunath Mandava, CEO, Airtel Africa, said: “Our relationship with Standard Chartered boosts financial inclusion across the continent, giving millions of people access to valuable banking services. We continue to invest heavily in cashing in and cashing out locations for our customers and increase our distribution. This means that our customers can now send or receive digital payments via Standard Chartered Bank directly to their mobile phones, as well as cash-out their funds at our exclusive kiosks and branches at their convenience. This highlights Airtel Africa’s commitment to providing affordable, innovative, best-in-class solutions to enhance the daily lives of our customers.”