MTN Business, in partnership with online accounting tool SMEasy, has announced the launch of cloud-based EasyAccounting for small business owners in Kenya.

The companies say the solution enables business leaders with no accounting knowledge or training the ability to perform finance and related business tasks.

These tasks include quoting and invoicing, money management, customer communication, reporting and an accountant dashboard.

It also features a payroll facility to generate payslips for employees.

Omotayo Ojutalayo, General Manager, Small Medium Enterprise Channels, MTN Group Enterprise Business Unit, said, "The small business sector is the lifeblood of most economies in Africa. As MTN Business, we have a particular interest in enabling and inspiring the growth of SMEs to stimulate economic inclusion in our markets. The partnership with SMEasy complements this approach, as the solution will enable entrepreneurs to make a meaningful economic contribution, while also sharing in the growth of local economies."

Darlene Menzies, CEO of SMEasy said the company is looking to expand into the rest of Africa. "We were looking for a channel for growth by access to customers beyond our traditional market of South Africa, and into the rest of Africa. We are excited about the partnership with MTN, as we believe it will empower and grow start-ups and small businesses across the continent."

MTN Business Kenya Managing Director, Kennedy Chinganya, explains "With this solution, we are introducing a practical product, developed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. For example, in addition to managing cash flows, MTN Business EasyAccounting also assist small businesses with compliance requirements such as access to tax certificates. We are confident that this product will assist small business owners in Kenya to better manage and grow their business."

The partners plan to roll the service out to Nigeria, G. Conakry, Cameroon, Ghana, CIV, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Benin and Swaziland.