MTN, a leading telecoms services provider, today announced a collaboration with Africa’s leading independent banking group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) enabling both companies to leverage each other’s assets that will ultimately offer more value to their respective customers across the continent.
Under the partnership arrangement, MTN’s large subscriber base, comprehensive distribution, innovative digital products and drive for mobile financial services are being linked with Ecobank’s digital banking products to provide instant bank accounts and remittances through Africa’s largest bank by network.
A statement distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank on the initiative indicated that the two entities had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the partnership pact, which will allow them to innovate and enhance access to affordable financial services via MTN Mobile Money and Ecobank Banking services.
This includes enabling Ecobank and MTN Mobile Money customers to transfer money between mobile money wallets and bank accounts and leveraging of partners’ assets to digitise international remittance, foster product innovation in the field of mobile saving and lending, and offer digital payment solutions to consumers, merchants and corporates.
Commenting on the initiative, Ecobank’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Ade Ayeyemi, said: “The changing landscape of digital banking and mobile telephony is creating unique opportunities in the way and manner customers are served. Africa will need to digitise financial services to rapidly scale up client acquisition and patronage. MTN and Ecobank are taking the big step today at this grand event to support this agenda”
The banker reiterated that “Ecobank’s digital strategy has long been committed to ensuring transaction convenience for the market. We have made giant strides in our mission to ensure financial inclusion and today’s agreement with MTN will greatly accelerate the easy availability of banking services to the previously unbanked.”
In his remarks, MTN Group President and CEO, Rob Shuter said: “Partnerships between banks and mobile money operators are fundamental in the mobile money ecosystem, hence our long-standing partnership with Ecobank in many of our markets aimed at driving financial inclusion. We are excited to be taking this partnership to the next level as this latest development will spearhead innovative initiatives which will deepen financial access on the continent.”
