MTN Group and Verifone Mobile Money say they have signed an agreement to deliver retail payment devices to merchants across 16 of MTN’s operating countries.

The solution will enable customers to pay for goods and services using their mobile phone and MTN Mobile Money wallet, while merchants will be provided with payment terminal solutions from Verifone, the two companies announced.

MTN Group, owners of MTN Nigeria expect the deal will boost the delivery of service to over 22 million mobile money subscribers across its operational footprints.

“We have created a customer experience where the mobile phone remains truly central to retail payment, thus ensuring continuity with our mobile financial services. This partnership will also allow contactless payment in the near future. As MTN, we are hopeful that our relationship with Verifone will contribute to the growth of mobile retail payments in markets where cash remains predominant”, Serigne Dioum, MTN Group Head of Mobile Financial Services says.

“We are excited to partner with MTN to enable their growing base of 219 million subscribers, particularly the 22 million MTN Mobile Money users, to use this innovative retail enablement software,” said Chris Jones, CEO, Verifone Mobile Money. “Access to mobile money boosts financial inclusion and prosperity, offering mobile phone users a convenient and safe way to access a variety of financial services.