Airtel Africa has announced a new partnership with Network International, the premier digital commerce enabler in the Middle East and Africa. This strategic alliance aims to enhance Airtel Africa’s payment processing systems across its markets in 14 African countries, signalling a major step forward in the telecom giant’s quest to drive digital financial inclusion and innovation.

Airtel Africa is seeking to strengthen its digital finance landscape amidst growing demand for mobile financial solutions. By aligning with Network International, Airtel Africa will access cutting-edge technology and expertise in payments processing that are crucial for scaling up its operations and improving customer service.

Network International, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, operates across over 50 countries, with a significant footprint in 40 African nations. The company has established itself as a key player in the digital payments sector, serving over 200 financial institutions and handling more than 1.6 billion transactions annually. Their extensive experience in the African market makes them an ideal partner for Airtel Africa, providing not just technical support but also a deep understanding of the local financial ecosystems.

Airtel to enjoy Enhanced Services from Network International

Under this partnership, Network International will deploy a suite of services tailored to Airtel Africa’s needs. These include advanced transaction processing, card issuance, fraud prevention, and a range of management services such as internal reconciliation and settlement. Moreover, the collaboration is designed to offer Airtel users seamless access to both traditional mobile services and new digital payment options, enhancing the overall user experience.

Ian Ferrao, Group CEO of Airtel Money, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Network International to enhance our payment processing capabilities. This collaboration will enable us to deliver a superior customer experience and drive digital financial inclusion across Africa.” He emphasized that Network International’s proven track record and deep understanding of the African market would allow Airtel to innovate and scale its services more effectively.

Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing at Network International, also commented on the collaboration, highlighting its significance for the company’s strategy in Africa. “Our collaboration with Airtel marks a major milestone for our outsourced payments services in Africa. It demonstrates our ability to successfully serve Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) via our fully-fledged processing solutions and our continued dedication and commitment to the African region,” he said.

Impact and Future Prospects

This partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing the financial landscape in Africa, empowering Airtel’s users with more robust and secure payment solutions. It aligns with Airtel Africa’s ongoing efforts to simplify and improve customer experiences, thereby fostering economic growth and inclusion in the communities it serves.

As Airtel Africa continues to expand its suite of telecom and mobile money services, this partnership with Network International stands as a testament to the telecom’s commitment to providing innovative and customer-centric solutions across its markets, driving forward the digital transformation in Africa’s financial services sector.