TheCable

Airtel Nigeria Limited in collaboration with Access Bank plc on Wednesday unveiled a mobile money platform known as Access Money powered by Airtel.

This service allows customers to perform simple, secure and instant financial transactions using their mobile phones.

With this innovative service, customers on the mobile network can send and receive money, make deposits and withdrawals, pay their utility bills and buy airtime for their lines.

Added to the convenience is the ability of customers to receive money through agents nationwide or through card-less withdrawals from any Access Bank ATM machine.

Speaking at the launch of the product, Herbert Wigwe, group managing director of Access Bank said: “Through Access Money, we will be providing financial access to more and more people and small businesses, creating an easier channel for the distribution of financial aid and also making it easier for government to receive taxes and deliver welfare payments.”

According to Wigwe, Access Bank and Airtel agreed to introduce Access Money powered by Airtel, into Nigeria’s financial landscape in line with the Financial Inclusion initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), even as it serves as a platform bring more and more of the under-banked and un-banked into the world of banking.

“It is something that reaches new groups of people and helps them to build and grow the success stories of tomorrow; and it’s something we are proud to champion,” he added.

In his comments, Segun Ogunsanya, managing director and chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, noted that Airtel, as an innovative operator in Nigeria’s telecoms market, was strategic in partnering Access Bank also one of the leading financial institutions in the country to create an enabling avenue for millions of Nigerians to gain financial inclusion.

“With Access money powered by Airtel, millions of Nigerians will be able to make purchases, pay for services and receive payments by the touch of a simple button on their phones,” he said.

“We are indeed proud of our partnership with Access Bank and hope that many Nigerians will take advantage of this product.”

To deposit money into their Access Money powered by Airtel wallet, customers need to visit authorised agents or any Access Bank. Registered Access Money user can also transfer from their own bank accounts to any wallet.

“Customers will receive confirmation or notifications SMS for transactions performed,” Ogunsanya added.

“The service is also aimed at promoting financial inclusion for those with no access to formal financial services. This collaboration between Airtel and Access Bank will deepen financial inclusion and bring more Nigerians into the formal financial system.”