MTN scraps mobile money business in South Africa
People walk past an outlet of South Africa's MTN Group in downtown Cape Town, November 10, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings
Get Alerts VOD Hot Sheet
Join SI Premium – FREE
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African mobile phone operator MTN Group
Mobile money services that allow customers to transfer funds using their phones have proved hugely popular in some other parts of Africa, particularly where people have less access to traditional bank accounts.
MTN launched its South African service in 2012 after the success of Safaricom's
However MTN, Africa's biggest wireless phone group, now joins Vodacom
"The operating costs of providing a mobile money platform has become prohibitive," MTN said in a statement on Thursday.
Both Safaricom and Vodacom are controlled by Britain's Vodafone (NASDAQ: VOD).
MTN said its decision did not mean a complete exit from financial services.
"MTN is still committed to remaining a significant player in the financial services space and we are exploring opportunities in financial services space and other adjacent sectors," it said.
(Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by Mark Potter)
Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!
You May Also Be Interested In
- South Korea Q1 GDP growth beats all estimates, puts policy easing in doubt
- ‘Stop arming Israel’ Passover protest in Brooklyn harkens back to 1969 Freedom Seder
- US Air Force narrows list to General Atomics, Anduril to build autonomous aircraft
Create E-mail Alert Related Categories
ReutersSign up for StreetInsider Free!
Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more!