Mobile operator MTN has announced the launch of a new cloud delivery platform, MTN Business Cloud Services, in Rwanda and Cameroon, specifically focused on the SME segment.

The platform is positioned to help small and medium enterprises access cloud services and do so cost effectively.

MTN quotes the World Bank as stating that SMEs are recognised as a key sector of local economies, particularly in emerging markets, where formal SMEs contribute up to 45% of total employment and up to 33% of GDP.

The launch of the platform falls in line with the mobile operators SME solution development and application strategy, and, says MTN, the offering will be made available in Swaziland, Ghana and Uganda by the end of April 2016.

"This platform was developed to address some of the pain points experienced by our SME customers, in particular. As MTN Business, we are acutely aware that to enable the growth of this key sector, ease of access to solutions that drive efficiencies and lower costs, such as Cloud, is vital. While the benefits of Cloud services for SMEs are numerous, the process of accessing and purchasing such services can be daunting. Through the MTN Business Cloud Services platform, the emphasis is on simplifying this process and meeting customers' needs – essentially we are putting control in our customers' hands," says Debbie Minnaar, Acting Executive, MTN Group Enterprise Business Unit.

In a statement MTN said using the platform, customers can use single login credentials for all services "and make use of "Live Help" to resolve any issues immediately and in local languages of the market from which the customer is accessing the platform. In addition, customers will be able to pay for products and services they require in their local currency, using different payment methods, including MTN Mobile Money."

"We recognise fully, the value of SMEs in our markets and we are committed to aiding their growth and development. Within the scope of MTN Business, we have a significant opportunity to become an effective strategic partner of SMEs and to contribute to this key sector of the economy by providing relevant and cost effective ICT solutions tailored for this segment, such as the MTN Business Cloud Services platform," says Omotayo Ojutalayo, General Manager for SMEs, MTN Group Enterprise Business Unit.

MTN confirmed that customers will only pay for products and services they choose to use, and these have varying models for payment - including subscription-based, depending on the type of solution.

The company says the new platform is an enhancement of a previous version launched three years ago. "With regards to Cloud adoption, the need by SMEs to use cloud services is certainly becoming increasingly apparent. Cloud services are enabling them to work better and more efficiently, without having to invest in hardware or infrastructure," the company adds.