MTN Removes Tariffs on MoMo Transfers in Uganda and Cameroon

In Uganda and Cameroon, telecom giant, MTN is waiving costs on transfers done with its mobile money platform. MTN is tweaking these tariffs with the aim of reducing contact with cash amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The offer from MTN Uganda includes the following; for 30-days, customers can send up to USh 30,000 (about $8) through Mobile Money every day to other MTN MoMo customers free of charge. This is meant to reduce the risk of transmission by avoiding the physical exchange of currency notes.

The offer comes alongside a day-time data bundle that will enable Ugandans stay on-line and work from home. Customers will get 1GB of data at just USh 2,000 valid between 9am and 5pm.

MTN is also complementing the Ugandan government’s sensitization drive by availing USh 500 million ($130,000) in cash and free media channel space (radio, TV, social media, SMS, call centre IVR platform) to promote the Ministry of Health’s sensitization messages.

READ MORE: MTN Uganda to pay $100 Million in Taxes before Issuance of Licence

MTN Cameroon has said that the suspension of payment of fees starts today: “Within the framework of its response plan to the health crisis caused by the Coronavirus / COVID-19, MTN Cameroon announces the suspension, effective Friday, 20 March 2020, of the payment of fees on money transfers between MTN Mobile Money accounts.”

MTN Cameroon puts its customers first and suspends payment of money transfer fees by Mobile Money to fight against the spread of #COVID19https://t.co/uQnVPI8xbj#stopcovid19 #BienEnsemble #GoodTogether pic.twitter.com/OdluQmouPN

— MTN CAMEROON (@MTNCameroon) March 19, 2020

“This measure suspending the payment of fees concerns money transfers for amounts up to 20,000 FCFA (twenty thousand francs). The measure will be limited to 3 transactions per day, per account, and will be valid for a period of 30 days. This may be reviewed based on the evolution of the health crisis.”

“MTN Cameroon, by suspending the payment of money transfer fees between Mobile Money accounts, seeks to provide its support in the fight against this Coronavirus, by reducing the use of cash as much as possible, and favouring distance payments,” an official statement of March 19 read in part.