Mobile telecommunication service provider, MTN Uganda has won a whooping five accolades at the just concluded 2017 Digital Impact Awards on Friday. MTN which is the largest telecom company by subscribers (over 9 million) and coverage in Uganda today was recognized for its digital tailored customer service and easing access to financial services.
During the awards ceremony held at Kampala Serena, the service provider took ‘Best Digital Brand of the Year’ award, in addition to ‘Best Technology Brand on Social Media’ and ‘Mobile Financial Service for Africa’. The other two categories in which MTN emarged as winner were; ‘Digital Customer Service by Technology’ and ‘Financial Inclusion Product’.
In trying to enable the increasing number of mobile telephone users in Uganda to send and receive money with ease, MTN Uganda introduced a mobile based banking product ‘Mobile Money’ in 2009. Over 3.5 million users are currently using the service.
But MTN’s other innovation in the area of finance is the ‘MoKash’ product launched last year in partnership with Commercial Bank of Africa (Uganda). It allows individual customers and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to save money and access microloan products, using their cell phone.
Little wonder therefore that MTN dominated the list of winners in the Digital Impact Awards.
Dr. Maggie Kigozi, the former Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) Executive Director who handed the Award to representatives from MTN Uganda lauded the telecom company for the impact that its Mobile Money has had on the ordinary Ugandan.
“Uganda has the potential to become a middle status income. The infrastructure has been put in place and it’s up to the common Uganda to take advantage of the available opportunities especially in business,” Kigozi said.
She asked other telecom and financial service providers to work towards bridging the gap in inclusive access to finance through innovative products.
Earlier, a panel discussion had tackled the need to improve access and affordability of the internet. Other topics centred around agency and financial access for the poor and the women.
List of Winners
DIAA Investment Leadership Award – Prof. Maggie Kigozi
Digital Brand of the Year – MTN
Best Digital Financial Service Platform for Africa – Mahindra Comviva Mobiquity
Best Mobile App for Africa – My Vodacom App
Best Online Banking – Standard Chartered Bank
Best Mobile Banking – Stanbic Bank
Best Digital Embrace by Microfinance Institution – Pride Microfinance
Best Technology Brand on Social Media – MTN
Best Financial Services Brand on Social Media – Centenary Bank
Best Digital Customer Service by Utilities Brand – NWSC
Best Mobile Financial Service for Africa – MTN
Mobile Money Best B2B Payments/Transfers Integrator –Yo Uganda
Best Consumer Goods Brand on Social Media – Movit
Best Financial Inclusion Product/Service –MTN/CBA MoKash
Best Government Body on Social Media –NWSC
Best Cybersecurity Practice – Standard Chartered Bank
Best Promoter of Financial Literacy –Stanbic National Schools Championship
Best Digital Customer Service by Financial Services Brand – Centenary Bank
Best Digital Customer Service by Technology Brand – MTN
Commended use of Digital in Consumer Goods Sector – Movit
Best E-Commerce Service – Jumia
Commended use of Digital in Real Estate Sector – National Housing & Construction
Company
Commended use of Digital in Retail & Distribution Sector – Nina Interiors Limited
Commended use of Digital in Education Sector – UTAMU
Best E-Service – KCCA (Ecitie)
Best Pay TV/VOD Service for Africa – DSTV
Best Remittances Service for Africa –WorldRemit
Best Smartphone Brand for Africa –Samsung
Best Corporate Website for Africa –Safaricom
Best Fintech Innovation for Africa – M-KOPA
Best Consumer Payments Service – Payway
Best Industrial Goods Brand on Social Media – UMEME
Best Use of Digital for Brand/Product/Service Marketing
Campaign – Africell ‘Don’t be Cheated’
Best Use of Digital for Event/Sponsorship/CSR Marketing
Campaign – Airtel “Tulumbe AFCON”
Commended Connectivity Initiative –Africell Triple Mbs
Commended Digital Content/Apps Initiative – Vodafone Jump
Commended use of Digital in Travel Sector – RwandAir
Commended use of Digital in Foods & Beverage Sector – Riham
Commended use of Digital in Energy Sector – Total Uganda
Commended use of Digital in Agriculture & Agro Processing
Sector – Jesa Farm Dairy
Commended use of Digital in Insurance Sector – UAP Insurance
Commended use of Digital in Healthcare Sector – Case Hospital
Commended use of Digital in Tourism Sector – Great Lakes Safari
