It is impossible for a mobile network operator to offer mobile money without a bank: at minimum, a bank must hold the deposits which back the electronic value stored in customers’ and agents’ wallets. Conversely, it is impossible for a bank to offer mobile money without an operator: at minimum, an operator must provide the data channel which allows customers and agents to initiate transactions using their handsets. But between these two extremes there is a very wide variety of ways for banks and operators to work together.
In this section we highlight articles, blog posts and other resources that operators might find useful when researching this topic.
1. How do banks and operators work together to offer mobile money for the unbanked?
Mapping and Effectively Structuring Operator-Bank Relationships to Offer Mobile Money for the Unbanked
Author : Neil Davidson, GSMAThis article provides an overview of the different ways that banks and operators work together to offer mobile money for the unbanked. It explores the strategic interests that banks and operators bring to mobile money for the unbanked; the strengths that the two parties typically bring to the table; and the mobile money value chain and how its activities can be allocated. It also includes two case studies, one featuring Safaricom, Commercial Bank of Africa, Equity Bank, and other Kenyan banks and one featuring Telenor Pakistan and Tameer Microfinance Bank.
