Airtel, Ecobank Offer M-Banking Across Africa

Bharti Airtel has entered into a partnership with Africa's Ecobank Transnational to deliver Airtel Money across nine African countries where Airtel also has operations.

The partnership between Airtel and Ecobank is already effective in seven African countries, namely Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Niger, Zambia and Kenya.

Airtel Money will also be rolled out in Gabon and Sierra Leone later this month.

The partnership enables Airtel customers to conduct a variety of mobile transactions. This offering which is subject to regulatory approval in each market, enables Airtel Money deposits and withdrawals at any Ecobank branch, utility bill payments and two-way money transfers between Airtel Money and Ecobank. Customers will also be able to view their bank account balances and statements in real time via Airtel Money.

"Ecobank is committed to bringing financial services to all Africans including the unbanked and under banked through collaboration with major partner-Telcos like Airtel. " said Patrick Akinwuntan, Ecobank's group executive director, Domestic Bank.

"All that is required to enjoy this service is an Ecobank account and an Airtel line registered on Airtel Money in markets where regulatory approvals are in place".