Shaibu Haruna, CEO of MobileMoney Ltd, and Prof. Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER, symbolize their commitment to advancing financial inclusion with a firm handshake after signing a groundbreaking research partnership agreement

 

Shaibu Haruna, CEO of MobileMoney Ltd, and Prof. Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER, symbolize their commitment to advancing financial inclusion with a firm handshake after signing a groundbreaking research partnership agreement

 

MobileMoney LTD, a subsidiary of MTN, and ReFinD  have signed a strategic partnership to conduct research on mobile money agent networks.  The collaboration, announced on January 20, 2025, at ISSER, University of Ghana, aims to address critical challenges in financial inclusion by exploring strategies to enhance market penetration and support for mobile money agents in underserved communities.

"This partnership perfectly aligns with ReFinD's mission of understanding and improving financial service delivery to underserved communities," said Prof. Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER and Executive Director of ReFinD. Prof. Quartey also expressed confidence that the research model and findings could serve as a blueprint for similar studies across MTN's African markets.

Prof. Francis Annan, Co-Chair of ReFinD, expanded on the initiative’s global scope, emphasising its global potential. "This partnership creates a path to engage commercially and academically to advance research that truly matters for vulnerable populations," he stated, underlining the collaboration's potential to scale impactful research and support agent network development beyond Ghana.

Under this partnership, MobileMoney LTD will provide implementation support to ReFinD grantees, offering access to Mobile Money agents and market insights.  The partnership also includes:

  • Investigating methods to promote entry of agents into the market space, which is key to market intermediation.
  • Understanding and addressing economic and non-economic constraints faced by agents in the scaling of access.
Prof. Peter Quartey articulates the strategic vision of the MobileMoney LTD and ReFinD partnership, engaging representatives from both organizations during the landmark research collaboration signing.
Prof. Peter Quartey articulates the strategic vision of the MobileMoney LTD and ReFinD partnership, engaging representatives from both organizations during the landmark research collaboration signing.

 

Francis Annan elaborates on the global potential of the mobile money agent network research initiative, highlighting its significance for vulnerable populations.
Prof. Francis Annan elaborates on the global potential of the mobile money agent network research initiative, highlighting its significance for vulnerable populations.

 

Shaibu Haruna, CEO of MobileMoney LTD,  emphasised the broader vision of the partnership.   “We look forward to working with ReFinD as a partner that is also committed to promoting financial inclusion and unlocking a world of financial possibilities for every Ghanaian,” he said.

 

Shaibu Haruna, CEO of MobileMoney LTD, delivers remarks underscoring the company's commitment to expanding financial inclusion through innovative research partnerships.
Shaibu Haruna, CEO of MobileMoney LTD, delivers remarks underscoring the company's commitment to expanding financial inclusion through innovative research partnerships.

 

Beyond the ReFinD project, MobileMoney LTD will collaborate with ISSER on relevant research initiatives aimed at expanding access to finance. 

The formal signing ceremony took place at ISSER on January 20, bringing together key leadership and representatives from both organisations. The event was attended by other senior MobileMoney LTD officials, including Paapa Osei, Head of Legal and Reputation Management, alongside senior members of the ReFinD team and ISSER leadership, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the partnership.

 

(L-R): MobileMoney LTD's Solomon Hayford, Head of Business Intelligence and Analytics, CEO Shaibu Haruna, and Chief Finance Officer Susan Yawson join ISSER and ReFinD representatives Prof. Peter Quartey, Prof. Francis Annan, Adadzewa Otoo, and Mawuena Akuamoah-Boateng after the partnership agreement signing ceremony.
(L-R): MobileMoney LTD's Solomon Hayford, Head of Business Intelligence and Analytics, CEO Shaibu Haruna, and Chief Finance Officer Susan Yawson join ISSER and ReFinD representatives Prof. Peter Quartey, Prof. Francis Annan, Adadzewa Otoo, and Mawuena Akuamoah-Boateng after the partnership agreement signing ceremony.

 

Group picture of representatives from ReFinD, ISSER and MobibleMoney Limited
Group picture of representatives from ReFinD, ISSER and MobibleMoney Limited

 

Read the press release here Press release.pdf