Airtel Money subscribers to send money to 14 African countries in a new partnership with MasterCard

Airtel Money subscribers to send money to 14 African countries in a new partnership with MasterCard
(Left to right): Onur Kursun, Executive Vice President, New Payment Platforms EEMEA Mastercard, Ian Ferrao Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Money Africa and Ngozi Megwa, Senior Vice President, Digital Partnerships EEMEA Mastercard during the launch of a new cross-border remittance service that will enable Airtel customers in 14 African countries to send money to and receive funds from wallets in over 145 markets across the world/COURTESY

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 10 – Airtel Money subscribers will not be able to send and receive money in major African countries through a partnership with Mastercard.

The service covers 14 African states, such as Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, and Malawi.

Others are Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

However, the telco said that the service will be rolled out in phases.

“At Airtel Africa, we are deeply committed to transforming the lives of our customers through innovative and accessible financial solutions, and this partnership is a significant step towards that goal,” Airtel Money CEO Ian Ferraro announced.

On his part, Mastercard’s vice president for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Ngozi Megwa, stressed the significance of the digital economy in the growth of livelihoods through remittances.

“As a global technology company with a long history in Africa, Mastercard is committed to the continent’s growth and connecting its people to convenient digital solutions that will enable a more financially inclusive future for all,” he said.

According to its estimates, an estimated $95.6 billion annually flows into the continent, making remittances a major source of foreign currency on the continent.