In pursuit of its goal of contributing to bridge the financial divide, MTN Group has granted third parties access to its Mobile Money (MoMo) Access Programming Interface (API) platform accessible on https://momodeveloper.mtn.com/.

The open API enables developers and programmers to innovate on the platform and develop products and other innovative solutions to enable a wider range of digital solutions for MTN’s customers.

To further foster innovation and enhance financial inclusion, MTN is now inviting developers and entrepreneurs across five countries to participate in the MoMo API Hackathon. The Hackathon, run in partnership with Ericsson (MTN’s Mobile Money technology partner), will give App developers based in Ghana, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Zambia the opportunity to create innovative financial and transactional applications using the MTN MoMo API platform.

Commenting on the initiative, MTN Group Executive for Mobile Financial Services, Eli Hini said: “Enhancing financial inclusion through the use of digital technology is an essential element in furthering the continent’s economic development, particularly for the previously unbanked. We see this as an opportunity for more tech-developers, entrepreneurs and businesses to work with us in creating more opportunities for themselves while contributing to bridging the financial divide.”

The range of solutions to close the financial services gap in markets where MTN operates requires partnerships with financial services providers, regulatory authorities, other mobile network operators, merchants, distributors, businesses, technology providers, entrepreneurs and developers. This Hackathon further illustrates the essence of the company’s ‘We’re Good Together’ initiative, which celebrates the role collaboration and partnerships play in ensuring that more people enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life.

The company is also embracing technologies that can accelerate the realisation of many United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs); the hackathon, which aims to enhance MTN’s financial services offering, speaks to the first UN SDG aimed at reducing poverty.

About the challenge

• Developers are required to create a mobile application that uses MTN MoMo APIs, and the mobile application needs to target consumers, merchants or businesses.
• The application must be useful and usable in the market where the applicants have registered and can cover use-cases beyond payment, but must utilise MTN MoMo APIs.
• MTN/Ericsson in each country will select 12 applicants.
• The pre-selected applicants will have 2 weeks to develop their ideas.
• The pre-selected applicants will need to make a live demo of their application submission.

Finalists stand a chance to win US$2,500 and one team-member will win a trip to Ericsson’s Innovation Lab in Sweden.

Source: thebftonline.com

Vodafone Ghana has rewarded the first quarter winner of its “Live your Life” promotion with a serviced plot at Appolonia City.

A statement from Vodafone to the Ghana News Agency explained that the Live your Life promotion, an SMS subscription-based promotion, allows subscribers to accumulate points by answering multiple-choice questions with the chance of winning exciting prizes, such as mobile phones and airtime, in weekly and monthly draws.

At the end of each quarter, the customer with the highest number of points walks away with an amazing prize.

Ms Bintu Haruna, the winner, expressed her excitement when pronounced the winner at the Vodafone Head Office, saying: “I am delighted to win a plot of land at Appolonia City. It is beyond my imagination! I kept texting to the short code and was not sure whether I would win anything. Vodafone promotions are real, and I urge people to participate anytime they launch new promotions.’’

The statement said, speaking at the prize presentation, Nana Okraku, VAS and New Product Development Manager, Vodafone Ghana said: “Live your Life promotion is a demonstration of our commitment to giving our customers the very best. At Vodafone, we believe in giving life-changing rewards to our customers and a serviced plot at Appolonia City serves that purpose.

“We urge customers to take advantage of this campaign by dialling *570# to win any of the amazing prizes which include an ultimate prize of GH¢100,000.’’

Mr Matthew Ansah, the Marketing and Communications Manager of Appolonia City, commended Vodafone Ghana for the partnership.

He said: “Owning a property is everyone’s dream, and it’s exciting to collaborate with the telecommunication giant, Vodafone Ghana to reward lucky winners with a well-planned city and to give participants the opportunities to be land owners.

“We thank Vodafone Ghana for this partnership and look forward to giving joy to more people in the future. Welcome to Appolonia City family Ms. Haruna.”

Source: GNA

Vodafone continues to show leadership and knowledge in the use of new channels to enhance customer experience delivery.

This year the company announced a number of customer engagement platforms including ToBi, an industry’s first virtual assistant chatbot that performs customer care functions and provides 24-hour assistance to customers on products, services, and enquiries.

One of the many ways Vodafone excites and interacts with its customers is through My Vodafone App. This unique app is a self-care mobile application that allows customers’ access to unlimited Vodafone services; designed with the objective of empowering the customer to do more and manage their accounts on the go.

My Vodafone App, combines customer touchpoints and queries into one place to make engagements with the company much easier. With its sleek new design and new tabs, customers can now send money, top up their account, see the last few transactions and raise any customers concerns for a quick response by ToBi. Customers will also be able to access Vodafone’s media content including the award-winning Healthline programme.

The mobile app has also given birth to a number of groundbreaking consumer campaigns in the past. These include an interactive gaming application named “Yen di Agoro’’, which rewarded thousands of customers in diverse ways with winnings, ranging from laptops, TV sets, smartphones, home theatres, bundles and airtime.

Vodafone also introduced ‘Shake’ a unique campaign that rewarded customers with free data and weekly rewards by simple shaking their handset.

Known for its passion for innovation and creativity, Vodafone Ghana has taken this game-changer to a completely new level with the introduction of the all-new MyVodafoneApp (MVA).

Angela Mensah-Poku, Director of Commercial & Digital Transformation, said, “This new and redesigned mobile application is completely different from the usual consumer mobile apps. Its unique and intricate features offer a complete all in one solutions platform for our customers.

“The new MVA is the most extensive overhaul the app has seen, since its inception and it will certainly be a key engagement channel between our customers and us. One remarkable thing about MVA is its integration with our Vodafone Cash platform, the most secure mobile money platform in the country.

“Besides engaging with us in real-time, enjoying the rare rewards and matchless experience, customers can now make payments directly whilst using the app.

“We are also proud that this App was delivered by our local team, young talented, Ghanaians whose expertise and creativity have given birth to something world-class ’’

She also stressed that MVA, which is in line with Vodafone’s digital strategy, empowers and allows customers to be in control 24 hours a day.

The telecommunications giant aims to significantly increase the number of customers using the app to reach out on their demands.

The redesigned MVA has a new look and feels as well as an enhanced user experience. Customers are placed on an exciting customer loyalty scheme in addition to 1GB data when they download the app that is available on the various smartphone download stores.

Source: www.myjoyonline.com