Telecoms firm, Airtel, has launched a mobile money platform named Airtel Money, or 'm-ligdi', in its Burkina Faso arm.

The partnership with Ecobank will enable consumers to top up their phones with airtime, send and receive money, pay their utility bills, access their bank accounts.

Commenting at the launch, John Ndego, Airtel managing director said, “It is an important day for us as we introduce Airtel Money in Burkina Faso to address this much needed gap by providing access to banking services, initially through money transfers and purchase of goods and services through electronic payments.”

“On a day to day basis with Airtel Money, you no longer have to carry cash. All you need is your mobile telephone,” he added.

All a customer needs is a mobile phone and a personal password every time they want to carry out a transaction, the company says.

And to benefit from this service, a simple registration process is required.

Cheikh Travaly, director of Ecobank said, "The service will extend the financial inclusion programme launched by Ecobank in Burkina Faso and will have a tangible positive impact on the community."