Tigo and Western Union enable mobile remittances in Rwanda

Tigo Rwanda Ltd, a subsidiary of Millicom, (Stockholmsbörsen: MIC), leader in mobile money and digital services provider in Rwanda and Western Union (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, announced today the launch of a new service that allows reception of international remittances directly into mobile through Tigo Cash accounts. 

Rwandans receiving money from families and friends from across the globe are now offered the ability to retrieve their funds in the simplest and most convenient way to them – their mobile phones.   

To access funds sent through Western Union:

·         Receivers dial *200*16# to access the menu and follow the prompts.

·         Once the remittance is received, customers can use the funds to access all the services and benefits that Tigo Mobile Financial Services offer

Tongai Maramba, Chief Executive Officer, Tigo Rwanda said: “We are pleased to deliver on the Rwandan market another service that simplifies cross-border money transfer, this time, in conjunction with a world class global payment provider- Western Union”.

“Over 2.5 million subscribers are registered on Tigo Cash and this launch with Western Union will enable them to easily receive money from countries across the globe where Western Union has a presence.”  Maramba added.

“Western Union is delighted to work with Tigo Cash in Rwanda to move money for better. As both companies are focused on making the lives of customers better, the company is excited to expand its Mobile Money Transfer service in Africa and make mobile remittances available to people in Rwanda,”said Khalid Fellahi, senior vice president and general manager, Western Union Digital.

In recent months Tigo Rwanda was first in line to launch the world first cross-border mobile money remittance with integrated currency conversion in conjunction with Tigo Tanzania.

The new relationship underscores Tigo Rwanda’s commitment to fostering the digital lifestyle as a contribution to financial inclusion as well as the creation of a paperless economy in the country.

About Tigo

Tigo Rwanda is part Millicom, a leading telecommunications and media company dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. Millicom sets the pace when it comes to providing innovative and customer-centric digital lifestyle services to emerging markets. The Millicom Group employs more than 16,000 people and provides mobile, cable and satellite services to over 56 million customer.

 About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of March 31, 2015, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and kiosks. In 2014, The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $85 billion of principal between consumers, and 484 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

 

Tigo and Reach for change support 452 0000 children across Africa

Tigo Rwanda, in partnership with Reach for Change, a non-profit organization, launched the 4th edition of the Tigo Digital Change makers Award. The competition aims at identifying and supporting social entrepreneurs with digital tools and technology to improve communities and future generations.

Two winning ideas will receive a cash prize of up to Rwf 14 Million each and access to a Reach for Change incubator, business training and a global network of other social entrepreneurs. Applications for the competition are now officially open and will be received until the 21st of August, 2015.

Speaking about the launch of the competition this year, Tigo General Manager, Mr. Tongai Maramba said that through the years, the programme had changed the way business was done by working closely with a non-profit organization to impact communities and the lives of children. It had also revolutionized the way issues of development were perceived. 

“Last year, our competition began to focus on digital solutions that can improve society. As a digital lifestyle brand, we encourage technology driven ideas that bring sustainable change. It is, therefore, with great honour that we will once again create an opportunity for such ideas to be recognized, supported and transformed to maximize social impact,” he added.

About Tigo

Tigo Rwanda is owned by Millicom, a leading telecommunications and media company uniquely dedicated to emerging markets in Latin America and Africa. It provides mobile, mobile financial, cable and satellite services to over 59 million customers in fourteen countries, primarily under the Tigo brand. Tigo has been operating in Africa since 1993, in Rwanda since 2009, and serves over 27 million African customers. 

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