{{Airtel Rwanda and I&M bank in partnership with R-Switch have today launched the first ever ATM cardless withdrawal service in Rwanda.}}
This innovation, a first in the Rwandan market enables Airtel money customers to withdraw money from their I&M bank accounts using their mobile phone.
I&M customers will also be able to make withdraws using their Airtel money accounts. In addition, Airtel money customers will among other services be able to make money transfers, check balances and pay utility bills and taxes.
Speaking at the event, the Airtel Rwanda Country Manager, Mr. Marcellin Paluku said, “We are pleased to formalize this agreement with I&M bank in partnership with R-Switch to further strengthen financial inclusion in Rwanda.”
He added, “This partnership with I&M is yet another milestone to deepen the accessibility of Airtel money to our customers throughout Rwanda and reinforce Airtel’s mission of offering inclusive, customer-focused financial services.”
“Today we are proud to be partners with Airtel Money and R-Switch as we launch ATM cardless withdrawal capability on our ATMs.
This service will be instrumental in extending financial services to the under banked segments in Rwanda,” said I&M bank Managing Director, Mr. Sanjeev Anand.
Commenting on the service, the R-switch Chief Executive Officer, Konde Bugingo said, “Today, we at R-Switch together with Airtel and I & M bank are proud to roll out these novel services to the Rwandan people as we strive to ensure Rwanda becomes a cash free country through innovation and creation of strong domestic and regional e-payment.”
{{How the service works}}
Airtel customers can select this service by going to their simcard application menu and select Airtel Money, select withdraw money from an ATM, Select amount, enter Pin then confirm.
Upon completing the transaction customers will receive an SMS that contains a 6 digits code that will enable them to withdraw from the ATM.
The commercial launch of ATM card less withdrawal service comes months after a soft launch that was done during Rwanda’s ICT innovation summit, Transform Africa 2013 co-hosted by President Paul Kagame and Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure, Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union in October last year.
Present in 17 African countries, Airtel is the largest telecoms service provider across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had over 68.3 million customers at the end of the third quarter which ended December 31, 2013. Globally, Airtel is ranked as the 4th largest mobile services provider in terms of customer base.
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