Telecoms provider MTN Zambia has engaged the Bank of Zambia on the need to promote mobile banking in country.

MTN Zambia is the country’s second largest mobile operator after Airtel Zambia.

And MTN Zambia chief marketing and distribution officer, Amon Jere, has said only 37% of the country’s 14 million people are financially included in the country, yet over 70% of the population have mobile phones.

Jere said MTN believes these statistics make mobile banking a strategic solution then in the delivery of financial services in the country.

He said in a statement on the weekend that there is a need to enhance mobile communication in the country in order to boost the development.

“Our conversations with the Bank of Zambia highlight the fact that the Central Bank is concerned about accessibility to banking services especially in rural areas. This is a concern we share and as a leading communications solutions provider, MTN Zambia provides a solution through mobile money. It is mainly about facilitating mobile banking services for the Zambian market,” Jere said.

About two weeks ago, the Bank of Zambia said it plans to partner with mobile phone operators in the country to enhance financial inclusion through mobile money services.

The bank said there was need for operators in the country to double up their efforts to ensure that the uptake of mobile money services reaches all corners of the country.