Digicel Plans Rollout Of Mobile Money Services In Haiti

Pilot on track to launch early October and will see hundreds of users taking part in a 6 week trial testing the many options available on this service

Friday, 17th September, 2010 – Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Digicel today announced details of the initial phase of its ground breaking mobile money service project in Haiti which will deliver a range of mobile financial capabilities to the people of Haiti.

With only 10% of the population having used a commercial bank pre-earthquake (according to USAID), the mobile money concept is guaranteed to take off in Haiti where mobile penetration stands at over 35% – up from a low 5% before Digicel’s launch in 2006. 

The ability to send, receive and store money using their mobile phones has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of the Haitian people.  By leapfrogging more conventional banking models to immediately be able to access safer, more affordable alternatives, this product will reduce the risks and costs of financial transactions, help increase savings and generate employment.

 

Commencing in October, the pilot is being conducted in partnership with a large NGO running a cash-for-work program and one of the major banks operating Haiti.  This pilot will see hundreds of users taking part in a 6 week trial to test cash in, cash out, airtime top up and person-to-person transfer servicesDigicel and its banking partner have also been working closely with the Haitian central bank on the regulatory aspect of the project.

This latest rollout comes hot on the heels of the successful launch of the “Digicel Mobile Money” service in Fiji in July of this year.

Maarten Boute, Digicel Haiti CEO, comments; “Mobile money services offer a secure and convenient way of transferring and handling money. We have already seen their amazing impact in places like Kenya where according to a study by Edinburgh University, after just three years, 40% of the adult population now uses them and have seen their incomes rise between 5 and 30% as a result.

He continues; “As Haiti’s largest mobile provider and single largest private investor, Digicel is uniquely positioned to roll out mobile money services – not only because we have Haiti’s largest and most reliable network, but also thanks to the expertise we have gained during our mobile money services rollout in Fiji earlier this year. We are very excited about the huge impact these services can have on the lives of the Haitian people.”

About Digicel

 

After nine years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has 11 million customers across its 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

 

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.

 

Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

 

In 2004, Digicel developed Digicel Rising Stars – an annual talent show to support aspiring young music artists in the Caribbean. The show has spanned the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago ranking as one of the top-rated shows.

 

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com  for more information.

 

Antonia Graham

Head of Group Public Relations

+1 876 564 1708

antonia.graham@digicelgroup.com