Mobile money ATMs have been in the waiting since time immemorial that it became a myth which has since been resolved. Finally, we had a clear glimpse of how these machines will look like after yellow branded ones made their way to the interwebs of Uganda. The South African based yellow camp decided to kick start the revolution by launching the much prophesized mobile money ATM machines in Ghana. However, what we know for now that these mobile ATMs are set to be rolled out in major markets where MTN has operations and Uganda cannot miss on this list.
MTN Ghana recently hailed its new ATMs as the best way to avoid ordinary agents. Given the swift increase in smartphone usage and mobile money reliance. Subscribers are able to transact while at ease without having to negotiate for charges as the story is with agents. Nevertheless, mobile money ATMs may replace the ordinary transaction means as Users won’t have to line up or put their pin secrecy at risk. But instead, safely perform withdraws ad deposits in real-time with these new proclaimed machines.
The same agents were also selling airtime scratchcards which have since been banned by UCC face yet another threat from these anticipated ATM machines. However, let us look at the bigger picture here of the disruption these are yet to pose to payments and mobile banking, the unbanked and services. Such people will look at them as Payway machines with a mobile money flavoring on top.
MTN’s biggest competitor, Airtel has not teased launching the same, and we believe that launching these ATMs will eventually bring out the best in Ugandan based operators who may opt to offer joint services on these machines. However, Ghana’s mobile money ATMs are already sparkling rumors of telecom operators drawing interest in following MTN Ghana’s promised dream come true.
