Ucom Burundi, part of Orascom Telecom Holdings and largest mobile operator in Burundi, operating under the Leo brand, today announced its partnership with TransferTo, an Ingenico Company and leading provider of International Airtime Transfer services.
This partnership will enable Leo to offer inbound international airtime transfer services to Burundi nationals residing abroad, through the TransferTo Global Airtime Remittance Hub. What it means for a Burundian national living and working for example in France, Belgium, the UK, the USA, Canada, or the Netherlands: thanks to the service offered jointly by TransferTo and Leo, he will be able to send Prepaid Leo phone credits to his loved ones in Burundi. From the convenience of his phone, the Internet or at a retail location, sending airtime to Leo customers is instant and secure. Low in cost for the sender but highly valued by the recipient, prepaid recharge credits enable the sending of small value amounts and as such are the ideal gift and complement to cash remittances.
With over 4%* of Burundi's population residing abroad TransferTo and its Sending Partners help Leo expand its distribution abroad and reach a strategic but difficult to reach customer segment: emigrants.
Leo said "that teaming up with TransferTo will allow us to offer a service addressing the needs of both our customers in Burundi and their relatives abroad, through innovative channels, as the service will not only be accessible at retailers but also on the phone, via SMS". TransferTo's CEO Eric Barbier, underlined the importance of TransferTo's new partner in Burundi: "as the leading mobile operator in Burundi, Leo is a key milestone for TransferTo's deployment in Burundi and Africa, that will further strengthen its commitment to offer the broadest possible coverage to African emigrant communities" in key markets such as Europe, Northern America, the GCC Region and South Africa.
* Worldbank Migrations & Remittances 2011 - Burundi
