MTN Zambia's Chief Executive Officer, Charles Molapisi said partnerships between banks and mobile money operators are fundamental in the mobile money ecosystem.

"We currently serve more than 1.1 million mobile money customers, making MTN MoMo the largest mobile money platform in the country. We consider taking financial services to the unbanked a huge responsibility that demands constant innovation and this forms the basis for our partnership with Barclays Zambia. MTN is moving Zambia into the digital economy and Barclays has long been our partner and we are excited to be taking this partnership to the next level as this will spearhead innovative initiatives which will deepen financial access in the nation."

Barclays Bank Zambia Managing Director, Mizinga Melu spoke of the country's need to digitise financial services.

Melu said, "The changing landscape of digital banking and mobile telephony is creating unique opportunities in the way and manner customers are served. Zambia will need to digitise financial services to rapidly scale up client acquisition and patronage. We have invested approximately K43 million over the last three years in technologies that speak into this need and our partnership with MTN and JUMO further demonstrates the big steps we are taking to support this agenda".

She added that, "Barclays digital strategy has long been committed to ensuring transaction convenience for the market. We have made great strides in our mission to ensure financial inclusion and today's agreement with MTN and JUMO will greatly accelerate the easy availability of banking services to the unbanked".

JUMO's Director of Strategic Partnerships in Africa, James Townsend-Rose noted that JUMO partners with forward-thinking banks and mobile network operators such as Barclays and MTN to deliver digital financial services to customers in emerging markets. The technology company's highly agile and scalable Platform operates inclusive financial services marketplaces and can adapt quickly to customer needs – connecting them to a range of progressive financial choices.

"We believe that innovative and ambitious partnerships are key to driving far reaching financial inclusion and development. JUMO's partnership with Barclays Bank and MTN Zambia is a reflection of JUMO's mission to connect millions of people to the best possible financial choices," says James Townsend-Rose, JUMO's Director of Strategic Partnerships in Africa.