[March 03, 2015]

MasterCard and eTranzact Make it Easier for Millions of Nigerians to Receive Remittances

At Mobile World Congress (News - Alert), MasterCard today announced an agreement with eTranzact International plc, a leading pan-African mobile banking and payment services company, to make international remittance services available to millions of consumers in Nigeria.

Under the agreement, citizens will be able to securely receive international remittances into their eTranzact mobile money wallets or select bank accounts through the international transfer hub, HomeSend. A joint venture between MasterCard, eServGlobal (News - Alert) and BICS, HomeSend bridges the gap between various entities globally such as financial institutions, non-financial entities and mobile network operators, enabling Nigerians living and working abroad to send money from mobile money accounts, payment cards, bank accounts or cash outlets back home.

"For millions of Nigerians, the receipt of funds from friends and family is an important lifeline. HomeSend provides senders across the globe and the recipients in Nigeria with a convenient, safe, and cost effective money transfer channel," says Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President and Area Business Head for West Africa, MasterCard (News - Alert).

Upon receipt of funds into their eTranzact mobile wallets, Nigerians can use PocketMoni, eTranzact's mobile money platform, to pay bills, top-up airtime, pay select merchants, cash out at agents or at participating bank ATMs, and send money to any bank account, PocketMoni user, eTrazact card or mobile phone user.

"Our partnership with MasterCard enables us to bring a new, cost-effective, cross-border remittance service to Nigerians, may of whom have previously struggled to access such facilities as they do not have formal bank accounts," says Valentine Obi, Chief Executive Officer, eTranzact International Plc. "Instead of travelling long distances and waiting in long lines, Nigerians will now be able to electronically receive cash transfers from family overseas with the convenience of their mobile devices."

eTranzact, which is connected to and switches transactions for all of Nigeria's major commercial banks, will also enable millions of consumers to receive remittances directly into their bank accounts.

According to the World Bank Migration and Remittances Brief, Nigeria is the largest remittance market in Africa and the fifth largest in the world, attracting US$21 billion in remittances in 2014, which contributed four percent to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product.

"We are pleased to partner with eTranzact to bring one of the most comprehensive international remittances offerings to Nigeria. This type of service has the potential to open up new remittance corridors, expand the scope of cashless money transfers, extend financial inclusion and support the growth of the economy," says Ojomuyide.

Find a complete list of MasterCard's news announcements from Mobile World Congress in our Digital Press Kit and follow us @MasterCardNews #WhatsNext to join the conversation.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE:MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

About eTranzact

eTranzact is Africa's leading provider of mobile banking and payment services. We are the first fully operational multi-application and multi-channel electronic transaction switching and payment processing company that is publicly quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. Our vision is: 'To be a leading global provider of mobile transaction services, leveraging on our award winning mobile switching platform' and since 2003, we have been at the fore front of delivering cutting edge electronic and mobile payment products and services to customers that cut across virtually all works of life. Follow us on Twitter: @eTranzactPLC and @MyPocketMoni, Facebook (News - Alert): eTranzact International PLC and MyPocketMoni.

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