Airtel Africa, MoneyGram Partner to Broaden Mobile Money Services

Airtel Africa Plc, one of the leading telecommunications and mobile money services providers in Africa, Wednesday announced it has entered a strategic partnership with MoneyGram to deepen mobile money payment and transfers in and out of Africa.

In a statement released through the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the telecommunications giant said with the partnership, it’s over 19 million Airtel Money customers in 12 countries can now route any MoneyGram transfer received from around the world into their mobile money wallets on their phone.

Also, it said the agreement will allow senders abroad to send money instantly and directly to an airtel money mobile wallet in a more convenient way for customers.

Speaking on the partnership, Raghunath Mandava, CEO, Airtel Africa, said: “We are delighted to work with MoneyGram to provide millions of customers with fast, secure and convenient options to receive and send money as well as access their funds from a vast distribution of exclusive kiosks, agents and branches at their convenience.

“This is a significant step forward in our ambition to transform lives through greater financial inclusion and empowerment across the continent. Maximizing access to global remittances is a key part of this – even more so given the disruption and economic hardship faced by many as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The company said “This latest partnership is in line with the Group’s strategy of expanding the range and depth of Airtel Money offerings to drive customer growth and penetration. The Group has been focused on building international money transfer services, through international partnerships, to connect millions of people to the global economy. The MoneyGram partnership builds on the momentum of existing partnerships with Mastercard and Western Union and combined with the recently announced extension of the partnership with WorldRemit will further accelerate the growth of our mobile money services.”