Airtel Africa collaborates with Mastercard to transform digital payments for Tanzanian consumers
7th November 2019, Dar es Salaam. Airtel Tanzania, the smartphone network, today announced a partnership with Mastercard, launching a virtual card that will enable Airtel Money customers to pay for services, goods, apps, hotel or travel, and digital content (such as Netflix) at any time of the day, through any online merchants globally that accept payments from Mastercard. Powered by Mastercard’s global-best technology, Airtel Tanzania customers will be able to enjoy private, secure and seamless digital payments through this partnership.
From left to right: Frank Molla (Mastercard), Adam Jones (Mastercard), Isaack Nchuda (Airtel), Sameer Hirji (Selcom)
Speaking in Dar es Salaam, during the launch of the Airtel Money Mastercard Virtual card, Airtel Tanzania Director of Airtel Money Services, Isaack Nchuda said, “We are currently living in a world where payments are processed every second and mobile money transactions are also on the increase. Our partnership with Mastercard will help us accomplish our vision of providing unique and affordable services and products which fit in to the daily lives of customers. The launch of this Airtel Money Mastercard Virtual card shows our commitment to support the Government’s ongoing financial inclusion initiatives.”
The virtual card allows for Airtel consumers to easily make payments at any online purchase point where Mastercard is accepted without the need for a bank account or credit card. Customers can request the virtual card from the Airtel Money USSD menu by dialling *150*60# select 6 Financial services, then 1 and follow the instructions. Once the card is created, the virtual card is ready for use for online payments.
Speaking at the same event, Adam Jones, Vice President and Area Business Head, East Africa, Mastercard said, “The partnership with Airtel will enable financial inclusion and access for millions of consumers in the country. Through our digital partnerships strategy, our aim is to continue offering easy, convenient and secure payment solutions that accelerate Tanzania’s digital transformation. In an evolving ecosystem, Mastercard is well positioned as a one-stop payments technology provider to lead the transition to digital for our partners across the Middle East and Africa, so that their consumers can enjoy a superior and world-class payments experience.”
“Mobile money has already helped reduce transaction costs, improve safety for individuals and businesses, and enhance the efficiency of the economy by reducing the need for users to travel long distances to bank branches to make transactions in person. The Airtel Money Mastercard Virtual card will extend the usage of the Airtel Money wallets to global online payments” Jones added.
In his remarks, Selcom Executive Director, Sameer Hirji affirmed the company’s commitment to continuously future-proofing and enhancing its infrastructure and market positioning to be able to support and offer increasingly sophisticated and relevant payment instruments to partners such as Airtel and Mastercard to realize their grander objectives in the payments space. “Selcom has been one of the few constants in the payments space over the past decade, and a pivotal force in the digitization of payments in Tanzania, and as we grow stronger we leverage on partnerships like this to deliver the financial inclusion promise to every Tanzanian. What we have achieved here today is momentous, we have made the world a lot smaller for Airtel Money customers.”
