Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, today announced that Network International (Network), the leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has been appointed Payment processor.
This collaboration is expected to advance Airtel’s continued delivery of state-of-the-art mobile services across the continent and beyond. By partnering with Network International, Airtel Africa is well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital finance, drive innovation and deliver unparalleled value to its users and stakeholders.
Network International’s expertise spans 50 countries, including 40 in Africa, serving over 200 financial institutions and enabling the processing of more than 1.6 billion transactions. Its in-depth knowledge of the African market makes it an ideal partner for Airtel Africa. Network International will launch its services in Airtel Africa’s key markets, covering card issuing products and providing technical support. This includes a comprehensive range of services such as transaction processing, card hosting and management, online fraud prevention, internal reconciliation and billing, and online access for Airtel users. This solution offers Airtel Africa users the convenience and ease of accessing a wide range of both traditional mobile services and new digital payment services – all through a seamless and enhanced customer experience.
Speaking about the partnership, Ian Ferrao, Group CEO of Airtel Money said, “We are excited to partner with Network International to enhance our payment processing capabilities.” This collaboration will enable us to deliver best-in-class customer experience and digital financial inclusion to advance across Africa. Network International’s proven track record and deep understanding of the African market will enable us to innovate and scale our services more effectively. Together, we will provide our users with seamless and secure payment solutions, driving economic growth and inclusion in the communities we serve.”
Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International, commented: “Our collaboration with Airtel marks an important milestone for our outsourced payment services in Africa. It demonstrates our ability to successfully serve mobile network operators (MNOs) with our comprehensive processing solutions and our continued commitment and commitment to the African region. We are pleased to support Airtel’s growth strategy and business development plans across the continent.”