![[South Africa] MTN partners with Ozow to enable customers purchase data, airtime directly via whatsApp](Images/Key Logos/Logo-MTN.jpg){kind=logo}
[South Africa] MTN partners with Ozow to enable customers purchase data, airtime directly via whatsApp
MTN South Africa has partnered with instant EFT solution provider Ozow to allow customers to purchase data and airtime through WhatsApp.
The service is provided within the MTN Chat platform and customers initiate the purchase of airtime and data bundles within their WhatsApp chat.
“Giving customers the ability to transact seamlessly on WhatsApp is a gamechanger in South Africa. It provides a seamless way to stay connected, in touch and in tune, while being simple and secure. Most importantly it will help improve financial and digital inclusion and enhance access for consumers,” MTN SA Executive of Corporate Affairs, Jacqui O’Sullivan, said.
MTN says MTN Chat continues to drive added value and convenience for its rapidly growing user base.
Making actual payments via WhatsApp, however, is relatively new globally, having initially being tested in India in 2018 and officially launched in Brazil in June 2020. The feature started rolling out gradually, enabling WhatsApp users in the country to send and receive cash “as easily as sending a text message” inside the app. David Marcus, Facebook’s head of finance, said in a Twitter post.
“Our aim is to ensure South Africans do not miss out on major advances in technology and have the latest cutting-edge solutions at their fingertips so they can enjoy the full benefits of the digital life,” says O’Sullivan.
Thomas Pays, Co-Founder and CEO of Ozow, said “We are excited about partnering with MTN to make it even easier for customers to be able to safely purchase airtime and data directly from the WhatsApp chat on the spot, anywhere and at any time.”
