Ericsson and MTN have extended their Mobile Money partnership with the launch of an open API platform in Ghana. This will give entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop revenue-generating applications. As part of the new agreement, MTN will grant access to third parties to its Mobile API powered by Ericsson's Wallet Platform.

This will enable developers and programmers to get free access to MTN's proprietary software platform. Developers can now access it and create products that ease payment options and leverage the MTN clients registered on Mobile Money.

The MTN Mobile Money API can be accessed online too. This saves time previously spent on submitting paperwork and a lengthy standard integration. The online system also allows developers to test their products before going live, by using a sandbox available on the website at no additional cost.

Fadi Pharoan, the president of Ericsson Middle East and Africa says “The ease to send, spend and receive money using a mobile phone is becoming an essential part of people’s lives. Our new partnership with MTN in Ghana aims to develop a more open, easy and accessible mobile money network. Ericsson is driving this change of making Mobile money more open by collaborating with MTN to advance secure, flexible platforms that help build an interconnected and transparent financial ecosystem.”

Source: myjoyonline.com

Ghana's Telecommunications Giant, MTN is empowering media practitioners across the country to own stakes in the digital revolution.

Ms Efua Falconer, Head of Corporate Communications of the Company, said the media remained the prime ambassador of the Company, thus the initiative to equip them to help share knowledge and updates of the world of technology with its customers.

“MTN is bringing stakeholders up to speed on what is happening in the techy world and the media is the mouthpiece of our business,” she told the opening of a day’s workshop for selected media practitioners in the Volta Region.

Ms Falconer said the MTN would forever partner the media and grow the relationship to build a more informed public.

Mr Maximus Ametorgoh Adjei, Business Development Manager of PopOut, who took participants through the training, said with 66 per cent of the world’s population being unique mobile users, digital media channels had become powerful portals with the widest reach.

He said there was constant change as people migrated from traditional to digital media, and that the latter was redefining policy and the licencing regime of the former.

The digital marketing strategist asked practitioners to patronise social media, saying it cost nothing to set up, and allowed for peer recommendation, and unlimited frequency of content.

He said social media had attracted all manner of advertisements, and that its analytic features would greatly benefit practitioners.

“Digital is the new driver of media. Monetization thrives on relevance, currency and frequency. Audience are the product, and content is the attention winner,” Mr Adjei said.

Participants were taught how to monetize digital channels and create compelling content.

Source: GNA

Vodafone Ghana has embarked on a nationwide market campaign to engage its customers in selected regions across the country.

This is part of activities to mark this year’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) month – a programme instituted by its enterprise unit.

The SME market storm, which has already visited a number of markets in the country, is aimed at introducing SMEs across the country to bespoke products of Vodafone’s enterprise unit.

The telecom company’s support for SMEs has been an integral part of its strategy of creating an exciting future for its customers and stakeholders.

SMEs remain the major contributor to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It also employs a substantial number of the Ghanaian workforce.

Speaking on the initiative, Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ghana, who joined one of the sessions in Accra, reiterated the company’s commitment to transforming SMEs and maximizing their digital potential. She said:

“The Market storm reflects our unwavering support for SMEs in Ghana. At Vodafone, we believe that empowering and enabling SMEs will improve productivity and agility, which will ultimately contribute to Ghana’s economic development.

“Our enterprise unit, Vodafone Business will continue to offer them with innovative solutions to build and connect to the thriving ecosystem,” she added.

Obo-Nai said Vodafone shall also continue to empower SME owners to experience a digital transformation across all levels of their operations.

The market storm has already been to the Western, Bono and the Greater Accra regions.

SMEs can find out more about the ongoing SME campaign, the bespoke SME offerings by dialling 080010000 or visiting any of their Retail shops.

Source: myjoyfmonline

Bharti Airtel announced a tie-up between its mobile payments bank and a joint venture with insurance company AXA to cross-sell services into its savings customer base.

In a statement Airtel said payment bank users would be able to buy policies from Bharti AXA, a company it owns 51 per cent of, at 25,000 retail outlets across India initially. A further 60,000 banking points are set to come on board at a later date.

The policies are aimed at the uninsured and underinsured segments of the population, providing cover at an affordable price point, it added.

Airtel Payments Bank CEO Anubrata Biswas added: “This association is an important step in our journey towards building a comprehensive product portfolio for a financially inclusive society.”

Bharti Airtel was the first company to offer payments bank services in the country, launching in January 2017. It was part of a scheme by authorities in India to encourage the unbanked population to open mobile-based savings accounts.

Source: Mobileworldlive