MTN Nigeria to boost 5G adoption with smartphone financing
By Idris Bakare
In effort to boost 5G adoption, MTN Nigeria, has partnered with Intelligra, an open platform for smartphone financing, with Stanbic IBTC and Slot Distribution Company.
This partnership will allow many Nigerians to own 5G-enabled smartphones, through a smartphone financing initiative supported by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Samsung, TECNO, Nokia, Infinix, and iTel, among others.
According to the partnership agreement, which was announced in a press statement, the smartphone device comes with a monthly bundle of voice call and data plan, such that the cost of the smartphone device will be spread over a period of time that will enable the customer pay certain amount for the voice call and data plan that ranges from N7,000 to N18,100 per month, depending on the plan that the customer subscribes to.
Chief Executive Officer of Intelligra, Mr. Tayo Ogundipe, said the partnership, which officially started in January this year, had finally been sealed to offer credit access to Nigerians to own a smartphone device of their choice, without making a one-off payment, which might be too expensive for many Nigerians.
“The idea of smartphone financing is not just to sell the MTN broadband data, but to enhance digital and financial inclusion by making it easier for MTN customers to own a smartphone and tool that will help them shape their social media lifestyle, and enable them innovate and have business lifestyle of their choice. The total package comes with a smartphone device, monthly voice and data plan and other value added services,” Ogundipe said.
Speaking on the partnership with Intelligra, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, Adia Sowho, said financing of items was still new in Nigeria, while expressing optimism that the partnership will help MTN customers to achieve financial freedom and have access to 4G and 5G smartphone of choice at affordable price.
“So far, MTN has financed 20,000 devices and the partnership with Intelligra will enable us to finance 1,000 devices each day, beginning from 2023.
“The partnership with Intelligra will drive financial inclusion, the digital goals of financing devices and making them accessible to the average man. It would also grant customers access to the internet, entertainment, and education and allow users to communicate easily,” she added.
