Airtel Kenya has partnered with National bank in a bid to enable their mobile banking (NatMobile) platform on Airtel. National bank customers have been accessing their money via the M-pesa platform. This partnership with Airtel will be a welcome addition for those instances when M-pesa is down for maintenance or other technical reasons. As a sweetener to the deal, Airtel customers will be able to access their National bank accounts for free for the first three months with minimal charges after the 3 month campaign. Customers will be able via mobile to; view their accounts, manage their accounts, make bill payments, transfer money to their Airtel Money from the bank accounts and vice versa.
The two firms target a long term relationship whereby they will be able to share agents whereby National bank agents can offer Airtel Money and vice versa. This will be extended to National bank branches where Airtel Money agents and customers will be able to transact.
National Bank Managing Director, Mr. Munir had this to say, “Our transformation agenda is in progress, as we strategically leverage on innovation and technology to expand the scope and reach of the distribution network. We are therefore providing Kenyans with faster and convenient transactions, 24/7 from our new Mobile Banking (NatMobile) and Internet Banking (NatConnect) platforms. Our focus remains to deliver innovative channels through which we can efficiently provide services to all customers,” he concluded
On his part, Airtel Kenya CEO Adil El Youssefi said, “Getting access to financial services via the mobile phone can make a massive difference to people’s lives. We, at Airtel Kenya, are very excited about the service and the partnership with National Bank. This service gives customers the freedom to manage their bank account from their phone thus providing that much needed convenience and simplify the banking process. As technology and financial services continue to merge we have no doubt that this partnership will be a great step towards improving the lives of our customers”.