[kictanet] History Comes Un-noticed

[Bill Kagai]

http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3880&Itemid=5822

Transferring money via mobile fone was not developed at MIT but right here
in Africa...and the service is now rolling beyond Africa. Kudos to the
pioneers making life this simple for us.

Mobile firms set to transfer cash abroad
Written by Okuttah Mark
*October 25, 2007:* Mobile phone operators in Africa have entered into a
partnership agreement with Western Union to facilitate electronic transfer
of money transfer across the national borders by mid next year.

The partnership paves the way for the development of a commercial and
technical framework to be used by mobile operators to facilitate high
frequency money transfers using mobile phones.

Initial roll-out of the service is expected to kick off in the second
quarter of 2008.
If successful, Kenya's two mobile operators Safaricom and Celtel will be
able to expand their reach to Kenyans in the diaspora with the electronic
money transfer services.

Safaricom in partnership with Vodafone was the first to roll out mobile
phone based electronic money transfer services that have proved to be a
success especially among the un banked. Safaricom operates M-pesa while
Celtel has Sokotele.

Both networks are working on modalities of expanding their services beyond
the national borders.

Since its launch early this year, M-pesa has attracted 700,000 users and
handled Sh3 billion worth of transactions.

The new system combines key elements of both Western Union's electronic
money transfer system and the GSMA's money transfer programme.
Electronic services have transformed the money transfer services making it
simple, quick and affordable for more users sending small amounts of money.
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