Electronic payment terminals (EPTs) catering for mobile phone prepaid purchases have been unveiled by MTN Cameroon and Easy Pay over the last week.

The terminals are planned to sell prepaid airtime 24 hours per day at several popular sites such as hospitals, airports, hotels, restaurants, pharmacies and even nightclubs, says MTN.

Payment modes are available in two formats as well.

The first is a kiosk version, which looks similar to cash distribution machines, and the second is a miniature version, says MTN.

MTN says the EPT technology is based on the same model used by banks for their electronic payments.

Kiosks will accept 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 Central African CFA franc banknotes. Receipts are said to be provided immediately upon each transaction as well, while mobile money cash in and cash out transactions can also be done through the EPTs, according to MTN.