British mobile payments provider Skrill has outlined its ambition to boost mobile payments across the world with the launch of a new ecommerce payment platform for emerging markets.
The new platform will allow operators and their customers to engage more effectively with emerging markets, offering specialised data packages that should help drive customer loyalty and increase average revenue per user.
Brand signing up to the new platform will gain access to Skrill’s huge consumer base across Central and South America, Africa and Asia, as the company looks to target a major "unbanked" consumer base.
Skrill’s worldwide payment network currently offers businesses access to direct payment processing via 100 payment options using 40 currencies across 200 countries and territories.
South African operator MTN will be the first network to roll out the platform, allowing the 18.4m users of its mobile wallet to make payments to merchants, digital gaming sites and social media. The service will then launch in Ivory Coast and Rwanda, followed by further roll outs across MTN’s Africa-wide estate.
"Our partnership with Skrill is another important step in our journey to offer customers the distinct experience of our mobile money service," said Pieter Verkade, MTN group chief commercial officer.
"We have been impressed by Skrill’s innovative and technology-led approach and through this partnership, MTN is enabling global digital payments, further enhancing our mobile money wallet offering."
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Founded in 2001, Skrill currently has over 36 million account holders and enables customers to make online transactions as well as send and receive money online.
"Today, there are hundreds of millions of consumers who want to be a part of the digital revolution, but simply do not have the means to pay," commented Nilesh Pandya, Skrill’s SVP of emerging markets.
"This ground-breaking launch brings together leading mobile operators and online businesses, enabling global brands to connect with consumers in emerging markets, and leverage the true power of digital transactions."
