Telecoms fight for mobile money clients

Telecom firms have stepped up campaigns aimed at attracting subscribers to use their mobile money platforms.Airtel Rwanda on Friday launched a promotion on its airtel money platform that will see customers get a 150 per cent bonus airtime each time they top-up using airtel money.“Since the introduction of airtel money on the local market, customers have been assured of safety on all our mobile commerce platforms. This promotion, therefore, is intended to make airtel money transactions rewarding for subscribers,” Phillip Onzoma, head of airtel money while launching the new drive code-named Mr. Money, said.MTN Rwanda has a similar promo, where subscribers get a 20 per cent bonus when they top-up using the mobile money service. Pierre Kayitana, the Tigo public relations officer, said all the transaction charges for sending and receiving money using the Tigocash service are free.“The ‘Send or receive money for free’ promotion is to show customers the benefits of using the service,” he said.All the three telecoms are battling to dominate in a service that presents huge potential towards financial inclusion, and firm profitability.