Chad’s Airtel customers can now facilitate financial transactions as well as make utility payments on their mobile phones.
The move is also expected to help the informal sector generate additional income, contribute to job creation, enhance new business opportunities and bring significant benefits to Chad’s financial sector.
All a customer needs is a mobile phone and a personal password — whenever he wants to complete a transaction. A simple registration is sufficient to enjoy this service. The client must be an Airtel subscriber, have a valid identification document and fill out a registration form.
Speaking at the product’s launch, Salia Gbane, CEO of Airtel Chad, said: “This service allows customers to send money to their relatives, pay essential bills such as electricity and water, tuition fees, bookings and even buy groceries without having to carry cash. The phone essentially becomes an electronic wallet.
He added: “this partnership clearly demonstrates the revolutionary role that mobile communications can play in improving the living conditions of the communities that we serve” Gbane said.
The partnership between Airtel Chad and Ecobank has been praised and touted as having resulted to the development of the first ever Mobile commerce product in the country.
Chad’s Airtel subscribers will utilise the service to carry out financial transactions on their mobile phones and enhance the delivery of financial services at affordable costs.
Africa has several of its population unbanked as formal financial services remain un-reached due to poor infrastructure. Reports however claim mobile transfers in Africa are expected to exceed $US200 billion in 2015 given the growing confidence of users in the system coupled with a wide range of services on offer.
Gbane confirmed that Airtel Money will be available in all areas covered by the Airtel network. He encouraged the Chadian population to enjoy the service, which will connect communities and businesses across the country.
