Government’s efforts geared at ensuring that all Rwandans access financial services have been boosted by Airtel Rwanda, which has scrapped charges on Airtel Money service transactions.

Teddy Bhullar, the telecom firm’s boss, said the move seeks to deepen financial inclusion and improve access to financial services.

"The ‘It’s Now Free’ promotion will give customers an opportunity to use Airtel Money services, like sending or receiving money, and paying electricity bills, at no cost,” he said at the launch of the drive.

The National Bank of Rwanda targets 80 per cent of the adult population having access to financial services by 2017.

Bhullar said the promotion will significantly help in the realisation of this objective, besides making financial transactions affordable.

Phillip Onzoma, the head of Airtel Money and corporate business, said the telecom firm will also start campaigns to educate customers on the benefits of using mobile commerce solutions to further improve business operations and quality of life.

Airtel money service currently has a customer base of over 680,000. About 3.9 million subscribers use the service on all the three telecom firms.

The firm’s mobile solutions platform was launched in 2012, and can be used to buy data bundles using airtel money, as well as paying for construction permits at city hall.