Orange launches new banking product

Dubbed Orange Money, the new service is almost like an ATM in the user's mobile phone.  Orange subscribers only have to open a payment account connected with a mobile phone number allowing them to deposit, withdraw or transfer money from their mobile to another mobile phone.

In addition, the subscriber will gain access to numerous services like making cash transfers, buying prepaid airtime, direct top-up and even bill payments via mobile phone.  Orange Botswana had partnered with Standard Chartered Bank Botswana (SCBB) for provision of this new service.  The service, which will be launched on a date to be announced soon, is compatible with almost 99 percent of mobile phones on the market.  It is already in operation in other African countries where the French mobile giant is established like Cote d' Ivoire, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Madagascar and Kenya.