MTN Rwanda has partnered with Finnish telecommunications service provider, Ericsson, to commercially deploy the latter’s “Converged Wallet” m-commerce solution for its unbanked customers.
Ericsson Converged Wallet is an integrated mobile wallet solution that combines the company’s wallet and charging platforms.
The Finnish company’s m-commerce solution, which includes the converged wallet, systems integration and operational support is expected to help MTN Rwanda introduce differentiated mobile wallet end-user services to its mobile money customers. It will also provide easy-to-use, next-generation financial services and enable MTN Rwanda respond quickly to customer preferences.
“With the new Ericsson Converged Wallet platform, we are looking forward to bringing more innovation into the Rwandan market. We want to continue leading the market in terms of breadth and quality of services. We expect to see a positive impact for both our partner agents and our customers,” CEO MTN Rwanda, Ebenezer Asante said.
The newly launched m-commerce solution is part of a strategic partnership with MTN Rwanda’s parent company, MTN Group, which will see the service ultimately introduced across the operator’s 14 African markets where it operates mobile money.
MTN Group operations in Africa include Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d`Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, , Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda and Zambia.
According to 2012 World Bank estimates, only 1.5 billion people in the world have a bank account, but more than 1.7 billion people who don’t have a bank account have access to mobile phones.
Mobile money is therefore becoming increasingly popular across Africa, with Kenya’s M-pesa a standout success in innovation and implementation.
Currently, mobile service providers are looking for new value-added services (VAS) to offer alongside standard money transfers. Ericsson says with its Converged Wallet, MTN can seamlessly launch new offers and bundles that integrate telecom prepaid services with mobile money services.
“Optimising the mobile money experience directly impacts consumer stickiness and with Ericsson Converged Wallet, we can now respond rapidly to requirements from consumers and merchants and provide reliable services. Paying your bill or sending money to family and friends has never been easier,” MTN Group chief commercial officer, Pieter Verkade added.
