Western Union Expands Collaboration with MTN Group; Launches Mobile Money Transfer Service in the Ivory Coast

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Western Union Company WU, a leader in global payment services, today announced the launch of a new mobile money transfer service in the Ivory Coast in conjunction with the MTN Group MTN.

The new service, which builds upon the existing mobile money collaboration between the companies in Uganda, allows consumers in Ivory Coast who use MTN's Mobile Money service to receive a Western Union^® money transfer transaction directly on their mobile phones.

The new offering increases the breadth of Western Union's payout options in Ivory Coast. In addition to the new mobile service with MTN, consumers can receive funds at nearly 900 Western Union Agent locations throughout the country.

“Western Union continues to expand its mobile footprint and deliver an exceptional customer experience across retail, mobile and online platforms,” said Khalid Fellahi, senior vice president and general manager, Western Union Digital. “Furthermore, Western Union seeks to promote global economic opportunity by bridging gaps in the traditional financial services system, and strives to provide consumers with access to Western Union services any way and any time they choose.”

International money transfers for mobile pick-up via MTN Mobile Money can be initiated at westernunion.com, or at participating Western Union Agent locations.

As of March 2014, MTN Mobile Money had more than 16 million customers in 15 countries. The service enables users to perform local and international money transfers and make utility payments and purchases. In Ivory Coast, where MTN is one of the leading operators with more than 7.5 million customers, users are now able to pay for online purchases with MTN Mobile Money.

“As an organization, MTN is committed to offering innovative services that help improve the quality of life for our customers. As a result, through this relationship, our customers in Ivory Coast will now be able to receive money from family and friends from Western Union service points around the world,” says Pieter Verkade, MTN Group Chief Commercial Officer.

For more information on Western Union's online and digital capabilities, including mobile applications and mobile money transfer services, please visit www.westernunion.com.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company WU is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of June 30, 2014, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs. In 2013, The Western Union Company completed 242 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion of principal between consumers, and 459 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31 March 2014, MTN recorded 210.1 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at www.mtnbusiness.com, www.mtn.com and www.mtnmmo.com.

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