Zamtel and Atlas Mara Bank partner to drive financial inclusion

Zamtel and Atlas Mara Zambia Limited have today announced a partnership that will enable Zamtel Kwacha agents deposit cash and have access to float from Atlas Mara Bank branches countrywide.

The partnership will further improve Agent operations as they will conveniently and speedily rebalance their agent lines, which will improve their service delivery to customers for Cash-In and Cash-Out services at their agent locations.

Speaking about the partnership in Lusaka, Zamtel Mobile Money Senior Manager Comfort Nyondo- Mbulo said the extensive network of Atlas Mara Bank will immediately begin to increase access to safe and accessible money transfer services to underbanked and unbanked people across Zambia.

Mrs. Mbulo said the signing of the partnership is especially significant to Zamtel as it demonstrates the company’s resolve to support financial inclusion.

“We are proud to be working with Atlas Mara Bank in improving access to cash for our agents which underpins the digital economy and is critical to inclusive development and the future economic growth of Zambia,” she said.

She said the partnership further demonstrates the two organizations’ commitment to remain focused on enhancing Zambia’s access to financial services.

And Atlas Mara Bank Zambia Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications Eric Ngondo said with its 57 branches, Atlas Mara Zambia is strategically placed to take mobile money services across the country.

Mr Ngondo said the majority of the branches are spread across the country and are predominantly in the rural areas adding that the partnership will make it possible for key agents based in peri-urban areas to transact.

“The convenience and speed with which Atlas Mara Bank will handle Zamtel Kwacha agents through this partnership will help improve the service delivery because this will effectively translate into constant availability of float at the agent locations serving our customers,” Mr. Ngondo said.

“We understand the growing needs of our customers to have easy access to financial services that go beyond simply having money in their account and this partnership to support agents answers that call.”

According to the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, 4.8 million Zambian adults (59.3 percent of the adult population) were financially included while more than 3.5 million (approximately 41 percent of the adult population) were financially excluded and more than 5 million Zambian adults (approximately 60 percent of the adult population) do not use financial products and services from regulated providers as of 2015.

Source: Zamtel