Local telecoms to bring airtime services closer to customers

The telecom service providers, Africell Uganda and MTN Uganda have partnered to bring airtime services closer to the former’s customers. Under the partnership, Africell Uganda’s customers will be topping-up airtime from MTN mobile money agents countrywide.

The solution comes after the removal of scratch recharge cards and stemming from the continuous engagement between Africell Uganda and MTN management.

Africell is not the first to benefit from an MTN partnership, DStv has recently been a direct beneficiary in a similar arrangement and customers continue to enjoy the financial inclusion, convenience and affordability that comes with such collaboration.

According to chief executive officer (CEO) of Africell, Ziad Daoud, the discussions about this partnership were not easy, started but I am glad we finally got to agree on working together for the good of our customers and the industry at large.

“Dear customers, as part of our continuous efforts to serve you better and bring you services closer, we have introduced yet another recharge option. Now under the assisted payment service, you can buy Africell airtime and data bundles at any MTN mobile money agent country wide,” he said.

He said Africell shops and outlets remain open to assist and serve you with our wider range of products including airtime, Data bundles, phones, 4GMIFI’s and more.

He encouraged customers to embrace the service from all the MTN Mobile Money agents.

The chief executive officer (CEO) of MTN Uganda, Wim Vanhelleputte said Uganda communications commission (UCC) and Bank of Uganda (BOU) are promoting interoperability and infrastructure sharing among others, “We have brought all this together today through the Assisted Payments initiative.” He added

According to public relations officers of Africell, Edgar Karamagi, they are moving away from direct competition to partnership, hence our infrastructure sharing services and this Africell-MTN collaboration.

He said the top-up solution gives real-time transactions with no delays and upon successful purchase, the customer receives an SMS message alert to as a confirmation of the transaction.

This is not the first time that telecom service providers are partnering to bring services to their customers, Airtel Uganda entered into partnership with K2 telecom to avail all services to its customers. Under the partnership, K2 customers can access airtime, mobile money, pay utility bills and other services.