MTN Uganda has today entered a partnership with Africell Uganda to offer its momo services to Africell subscribers through a new service they’ve called ‘Assistant Payment Service’. The announcement was made at a media brief held at Mestill Hotel in Kampala, Uganda.
The service will allow Africell customers/subscribers purchase airtime or internet bundles using the MTN mobile money. The catch is that it can only be done through MTN mobile money agents. However, Africell Uganda says in the near future they’ll as well give the power to its customers to purchase these services other than using the MTN mobile money agents.
This solution is a product steaming from continuous engagement between the management at MTN and Africell. The telco claims that they have been working on the solution with MTN since the removal of scratch cards last year.
MTN Uganda CEO, Wim Vanhelleputte in his brief remarks said MTN MoMo is like a supermarket where you will find agents ready to help you with the available services now including the Africell airtime and internet bundles top-ups.
He concluded his remarks saying that UCC and Bank of Uganda are promoting interoperability and infrastructure sharing. Thus bringing all this together through the Assisted Payment Service initiative.
The collaboration of the two telcos underlies the spirit of telecommunication companies in Uganda to practice resource sharing.
To recall, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) last year directed all telcos to work together to optimize infrastructure for best service in the industry other than competing amongst each other.
Note that Africell subscribers/customers can still purchase these services using their Africell money. But in case one doesn’t have money on their account, and can’t access any Africell agent, then the MTN mobile money agent will be of help.
