Nairobi, Kenya: Airtel Kenya Managing Director Adil El Youssetta has lauded the Government for increasing capacity of other mobile money transfer players as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO).
Youssetta said the move will open up an equal playing field to all the players in the segment that that has previously been locked to a dominant player.
The manager was speaking in Eldoret during the launch of their flagship store in Eldoret accompanied by part of his management.
“Kenyans are hungry for choice and there this will not only provide ground to compete on equal grounds but also allow for innovation,” he offered.
Airtel Kenya is hosting Equity Bank as an MVNO making it the first Virtual Mobile Network in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa.
This comes even as another mobile money transfer partnership between Safaricom and Equity’s M-Kesho failed miserably a few years back.
“This is great innovation that Airtel is introducing in the market that will allow equity clients use our excess capacity for their banking needs similar to those accessed by Airtel clients,” he stated.
The MD took the opportunity to also announce the introduction of the newly unveiled Airtel Money Visa Card that he lauded as a first innovation of its kind in the market.
“With this card you can withdraw money at any Visa ATM at any time of the day and week and does not require an agent besides being used to directly pay for transactions at any Visa terminals,” he stated.
The card is linked Airtel Money client’s account and can be used in Kenya and everywhere in the world and uses the same pin code.
“All one needs is to present a photocopy of their ID that is activated by the partner bank after verification in 24 hours. The card has a chip which makes it very secure.
He further revealed that they were still working towards the acquisition of Yu that if successful will significantly scale up their market share.
“We are always doing the best things for our shareholders and consumers but it is still okay if it does sail through,” Youssetta assured.
He affirmed that the company was working very hard internally, with partners and esteemed policy makers to bring more of the deserved choice to the Kenyan consumers.
