- The new service is based on Vodafone Romania's M-Pesa technical platform, which is also the first mobile money platform on the Romanian market enabling Romanians to receive remittances from abroad
BUCHAREST, Romania, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vodafone Romania and MoneyGram, (NASDAQ: MGI), today announced the launch of an innovative international money transfer service that allows Vodafone customers in Romania to securely receive international remittances, with M-Pesa, from over 125 countries around the world.
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With the new service, MoneyGram customers are able to send money from abroad within minutes and in a secure way to Vodafone Romania users. All prepaid or postpaid Vodafone customers in Romania can now receive international money transfers from any MoneyGram location in more than 125 countries, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can quickly make use of this money, on their mobile phones.
"With almost half of the Romanian population being unbanked or transacting mainly in cash(*), MoneyGram is excited to team up with Vodafone Romania to provide millions of customers with access to fast, reliable and secure options to send and receive money. This new relationship will make it more convenient for people in the most remote parts of Romania to receive money from friends and family abroad," said Radu Pojoga, MoneyGram's regional director for Southeast Europe. "MoneyGram is proud of the role it plays in enabling families to pay for life's emergencies and essentials, to open businesses, or to help them celebrate a special occasion."
Vodafone users registered with M-Pesa can withdraw the received amount in all M-Pesa locations nationwide or can use it directly from their mobile phone to send money to friends/relatives, recharging Cartela Vodafone, paying utility bills or other merchant payments.
"Vodafone Romania puts at clients' disposal more than 350,000 of MoneyGram agent locations around the world from where users can send money to Romania, directly on the mobile phone of the recipient. The service is based on Vodafone Romania's unique technical platform, which is the first mobile money platform in the Romanian market that enables Romanians to receive money from abroad with immediate and 24/7 access to funds," said Valentin Stefan, Director, Business Development, Vodafone Romania.
(*)World Bank data 2015
Vodafone Romania is a subsidiary of Vodafone Group, one of the world's largest telecommunications companies which provide a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 57 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 31 December 2015, Vodafone had 461 million mobile customers and 13 million fixed broadband customers. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com.
About M-Pesa The M-Pesa service was launched in March 2007 by Safaricom Limited in Kenya. It enables millions of people who have access to a mobile phone, but do not have access to a bank account, to send and receive money, top-up airtime, make bill payments and enjoy a range of other services.
M-Pesa had approximately 24.6 million active customers as at 31 December 2015 and approximately 236,000 agents worldwide. It is available in 11 markets: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Mozambique, Egypt, Lesotho, Ghana, Albania and Romania.
About MoneyGram MoneyGram is a global provider of innovative money transfer and payment services and is recognized worldwide as a financial connection to friends and family. Whether online, or through a mobile device, at a kiosk or in a local store, we connect consumers any way that is convenient for them. We also provide bill payment services, issue money orders and process official checks in select markets. More information about MoneyGram International, Inc. is available at moneygram.com.
Media Contact: Michelle Buckalew, media@moneygram.com, +1 214-979-1418
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