Airtel Africa has partnered with MoneyGram, the US money transfer company. Through the deal, Airtel Money customers will be able to receive funds from abroad via MoneyGram directly to their mobile wallets.
Funds transferred via MoneyGram will be available immediately from Airtel Money mobile wallets. Received cash can be used for different purposes like paying for utilities, among other things. The money can also be converted to cash by visiting any Airtel Money agent.
The new deal opens the way to Airtel Money’s 19 million customers on the continent, granting them access to global remittances.
Airtel Money customers will be able to receive cash from over 200 countries around the globe where the cross-border P2P payments and money transfers firm has a presence.
“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,” says Raghunath Mandava, CEO of Airtel Africa.
“We’re excited about how this customer-centric partnership with Airtel will expand our mobile wallet capabilities, build upon our strong momentum in Africa, and further accelerate our digital growth across the globe,” said John Gely, Head of MoneyGram Africa.
The partnership has to go through regulatory approval first before rolling out.
Airtel Africa’s deal with MoneyGram follows the recent partnership with Standard Chartered Bank paving way for cash transfer between Airtel Money wallets and the bank.
