The functionality is the result of two years of hard work on a pioneering mobile transfer system that allows real-time cross-border prepaid airtime using cell phone banking from FNB. This is only the first phase of the project and FNB plans to expand the service to a number of other African countries; this was contained in a press statement to AfricaNews.com

FNB Mobile and Transact Solutions Head of Expansion, Yolande Van Wyk, said that Namibians working in South Africa can now send airtime to their family in Namibia, where at least 80% of cell phone users are prepaid customers. “Our products have been successful in-country and we are now aiming to add more value to Namibians.”

Van Wyk said at present only SA FNB cell phone banking customers can make a prepaid airtime purchase, for an individual who uses Namibia’s mobile network service provider – MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Limited).

“We are proud to be the first bank that has been able to perfect the introduction of cross-border prepaid airtime purchases. It is a convenient, time and cost saving service for our customers” said Van Wyk.

The cross-border prepaid airtime purchase is conducted in real-time and is available 24 hours a day. The prepaid airtime purchases are capped at a daily limit of R1 000, and FNB customers have the option to reduce their daily limit.

“Today, cellphone banking has played a role in allowing traditional banks to provide services to segments of our society that we could previously not address cost effectively. Cross border prepaid top-ups is another example of how FNB is leveraging its base of 4 million registered customers to use interactive financial services from their cell phone” concluded Len Pienaar, CEO of FNB Mobile and Transact Solutions.