WorldRemit opens up MTN Mobile Money wallets in Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia

"This partnership makes sense for both companies, as they share a disruptive approach to innovation and bring impactful services to our customers. Together, we are now providing an instant, digital and very affordable solution to send international remittance to Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. Other countries will follow soon," says Serigne Dioum, MTN group head of mobile financial services.

"At WorldRemit, we are pioneering international mobile-to-mobile remittances. Our partnership makes sending money home as easy as sending an instant message," says Alix Murphy, senior mobile analyst at WorldRemit.

"For diaspora members, sending money to friends and family back home in these countries, Mobile Money is a real game-changer. In Uganda, Mobile Money has already overtaken cash pick-up and bank deposits as the preferred method to receive money. We expect this trend to continue as MTN's Mobile Money services reach millions of people without bank accounts, giving them access to a variety of life-enhancing financial services including savings and insurance schemes."

People in more than 52 countries already use the WorldRemit app to send around 400,000 money transfers every month to over 125 destinations. WorldRemit is one of the leading senders of remittances to Mobile Money wallets, connecting to over 25 different services worldwide.

MTN Mobile Money enables users to perform utility payments, save money, purchase airtime and access a range of mobile financial products. To date, it is used by customers in 15 countries across Africa, including Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda and Zambia.

In keeping with its aim to accelerate the rollout of international remittance, MTN launched a cross-border mobile money transfer service between Uganda and Rwanda in August 2015. The service allows customers in both countries to transact with the same simplicity as a local money transfer. The group also offers a mobile money cross-border remittance service between Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. The remittance corridor between Kenya and Rwanda is the latest addition to its bouquet of services. It forms part of a major initiative between MTN and Vodafone, to enhance financial inclusivity in East Africa.