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World Bank Private Lender Gives Airtel Uganda U.S.$3 Million(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The World Bank through private lender, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has tied up a $3.9 million advisory services agreement with telecom services provider Airtel Uganda writes BAZ WAISWA. In a press statement released by the telecom company said that the aim of the three-year project is to assist Airtel Uganda in strengthening its mobile money operation to reach rural and underserved communities and women. IFC will provide advisory services on agent network management and product development, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Chidi Okpala, Director and Head of Airtel Money Africa, said the support from IFC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help them to further strengthen their distribution capability and involvement in deepening access to financial services and the creation of cashless ecosystems in Uganda. "The lack of access to formal financial services means many Ugandans have no safe or sustainable way of saving or transacting money. Mobile money offers great potential in extending formal financial services also to the low-income market, and our partnership with Airtel Uganda will further that cause." Greta Bull, IFC Head of Micro Retail Advisory Services in Sub-Saharan Africa, is quoted in the statement issued last week. The implementation of mobile financial services has shown to be a successful way of increasing access to financial services, and thus an important tool in the fight against poverty and the promotion of inclusive economic growth. Airtel was launched in Uganda in June 2010 and likes to call itself the most innovative mobile phone operator, which has introduced many "firsts" in the telecommunications sector. Airtel Uganda is a subsidairy of India-based Bharti Airtel Limited (BAL). Headquartered in New Delhi, BAL ranks amongst the top four mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. Copyright East African Business Week. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |