New Technologies in remittances sending: Opportunities for mobile remittances in Africa

Melissa Siegel () and Sonja Fransen
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Melissa Siegel: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, University of Maastricht

No 2012-018, MERIT Working Papers from United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT)

Abstract: Mobile remittances have a high development potential as they hold the promise of providing quick, easy and cheap money transfers. In Africa mobile phone usage has increased sharply and mobile banking providers are extending their services, enabling greater opportunities for mobile remittances. The rise of mobile banking in Africa, however, differs substantially across countries, mainly due to a lack of financial infrastructure. Consequently, the opportunities that mobile banking offers for mobile remittances vary geographically. The services provided do not always meet the needs of remittance senders and the African remittances market is generally under-acknowledged as an important market by providers. Restrictive financial regulations play a key role as well. Mobile remittances have the potential to become an important and revolutionary tool for remittances sending in Africa. Effective policies should therefore address the limitations in the regulatory and financial infrastructure for mobile banking to become the foundation for mobile remittances.

Keywords: Remittances; mobile remittances; Africa; innovation; technology; development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F24 L63 O15 O17 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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