Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Siegel, Melissa
Author-Email: melissa.siegel@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, University of Maastricht
Author-Name: Fransen, Sonja
Author-Email: sonja.fransen@maastrichtuniversity.nl 
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, University of Maastricht
Title: New Technologies in remittances sending: Opportunities for mobile remittances in Africa 
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.
Classification-JEL: F24, L63, O15, O17, O33  
Keywords: Remittances, mobile remittances, Africa, innovation, technology, development
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2012
Number: 2012-018
File-URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2012/wp2012-018.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2012018