Qatari operator wants Africa, Mideast mobile money interoperability

Qatar based telecoms operator Ooredoo has announced its support for the introduction of interoperable mobile money services across Africa and the Middle East.

The concept of interoperability in mobile money services allows more mobile financial services to be delivered to a broader range of people across both regions.

Ooredoo’s move sees the telco join other operators such as Bharti Airtel, Etisalat, Millicom, MTN Group, and Vodafone Group that have adopted the GSMA’s Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) programme, according to a statement.

Through the programme, the GSMA helps operators to successfully launch and scale interoperable mobile money services through identifying and sharing best practices.

Dr. Nasser Marafih, group chief executive officer said, “Ooredoo’s companies have taken the lead in providing mobile money services in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, and we recognise the important social, economic and community benefits that these services provide.”

“We are pleased and proud to support this initiative, which is fully aligned with our commitment to develop life-enriching services that support human growth,” said Marafih.

Last year Ooredoo’s mobile money services were reported to have attracted more than one million customers.

In Qatar, Ooredoo has seen growth of its mobile money service, which enables customers to send money for collection at 321,000 MoneyGram agents in 195 countries around the world.

Meanwhile, in Tunisia, Ooredoo and Tunisian Mail (La Poste Tunisienne) currently have more than 250,000 customers for their service, which works with a wide range of banks to enable customers to transfer money, check bills, and pay for bills and goods.

Marafih added, “We are expanding the horizons of mobile money services in Tunisia because we see the incredible benefits that mobiflouss can bring, particularly for young people and for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tunisia has been our fastest-growing market for mobile money services, as the Tunisian people embrace new technology to help transform their lives.”