Archive

Archive for July, 2009


A perspective on the Barcelona MMU Working Group

By: Jenny Hoffman: July 23rd, 2009

Jenny Hoffman, RiskFrontier Consultants, attended the June MMU Working Group in Barcelona. She has summarized below some key themes from the sessions. Her report is a good reflection of the tone and organization of the Mobile Money for the Unbanked Working group.

GSMA Mobile Money Exchange: Q&A

By: Paul Leishman: July 14th, 2009

At this year’s Mobile Money Summit in Barcelona, the GSMA announced the launch of the Mobile Money Exchange initiative. In advance of the Exchange’s release by Q4 2009, I have addressed some key questions with Reed Peterson, Director of Business Development at the GSMA.

Mobile Money: a book to read, and two videos to watch

By: Paul Leishman: July 10th, 2009

In keeping with the theme established at the Barcelona MMU working group of ‘understanding the mobile money customer’, I’ve posted some suggested reading and viewing material.

1. Portfolios of the Poor
For those looking for more data-driven findings like the ones presented at the working group, this book will be a valuable resource.

2. Use of G-Cash in Cantilan, Philippines
This video profiles use of G-Cash in Cantilan, a Filipino farming and fishing community 5 hours away from the nearest operational airport. The video features interviews with customers (there are 8,900 in Cantilan) and agents from a few of the 60+ small businesses, including pharmacies, bakeries, restaurants, who accept G-Cash as a payment method.

3. Microfinance: From Manual to Mobile Enabled (SMART)
This video provides a glimpse into the role that mobile money can play in microfinance loan disbursement and cash collection.

Mobile Money News Headlines

By: Paul Leishman: July 2nd, 2009

Orascom Telecom announces launch of mobile financial services in Pakistan

GSMA introduces premier online community for mobile money

Zain and Western Union mobile money transfer alliance