MTN partners TransferTo for cross-border top-ups

MTN explained that international mobile top-up was a cost-effective complement to cash remittances that enabled instant and convenient small-value transfers in the form of prepaid mobile credits.

MTN's vast footprint spans 21 markets in Africa and the Middle East, connecting more than 150 million mobile subscribers in markets where a significant number of prepaid customers had relatives living and working abroad.

TransferTo operated a global airtime remittance network that would enable MTN's 21 operations to reach emigrants and meet their growing demand for reliable and always-available airtime transfer services, it said.

The service was available through various channels, including at TransferTo.com or via major sending partners in countries such as the UK, the US, Canada, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Already, the service enabled a mobile subscriber in France to top up an MTN Congo prepaid account via SMS, or a Nigerian residing in London to transfer airtime to an MTN Nigeria phone from her mobile or via TransferTo's website.

The service would soon enable Yemeni citizens in Saudi Arabia, Qatar or the UAE to remotely send credits to MTN Yemen prepaid users, Afghan nationals living in the US and Canada to instantly top-up MTN Afghanistan prepaid accounts, the operator said.

Eric Barbier, TransferTo's CEO, said: "International top-up will greatly benefit migrant populations originating from countries in which MTN operates as they will now enjoy a unique way to send gifts and get closer to their loved ones back home," said Barbier.

Christian de Faria, MTN Group chief commercial officer, said the partnership with TransferTo confirmed MTN's commitment to deliver services that meet users' needs in its markets and beyond.

"TransferTo's global footprint in key diaspora markets provides the missing link that enables MTN to reach emigrants and deliver to them a service that is adapted to suit their specific needs," said De Faria.