Mobile network operator Airtel Ghana has partnered with Verifone Mobile Money to roll out NFC-enabled devices to Airtel merchants that will act as terminals, allowing more than 1.5 million registered Airtel Money users to make payments with their phone.

“All the customer needs to do is a contactless tap at the NFC device with their mobile phone to effect payment via their mobile wallet,” the carrier explains. “Customers without NFC-enabled devices will receive a sticker.”

“We believe that NFC technology and the rollout of contactless ‘tap and pay’ across the African continent will help to realise the true economic benefits of cashless economies, while driving mobile money adoption through an improved merchant payments experience,” says Chris Jones, chief executive of Verifone Mobile Money.

“This is a more efficient mode of payment as it reduces the number of steps customers have to go through to make a mobile money payment,” adds Lucy Quist, managing director of Airtel Ghana. “The use of this new technology will further deepen the growing acceptance of cashless payments in Ghana.”

When asked about the number of terminals that will be distributed and the rollout schedule, Airtel Ghana told NFC World: “At this point, we cannot share that information. We’ll do so at the appropriate time.”