IMImobile, Airtel unveil Tap2Bill mobile billing merchant service in Africa

IMImobile PLC,  software and services provider of mobile customer engagement solutions, is partnering with Bharti Airtel Africa to deliver its mobile billing solution Tap2Bill for merchants and content providers across Africa.

The new Airtel Tap2Bill service will enable content providers and merchants to utilise Airtel’s billing infrastructure to charge and bill their customers. The service will be available via a secure merchant portal, that will help content providers and merchants grow their business across Africa, without the need to invest in costly billing and payment capabilities.

Africa is seen as the fastest growing market for mobile commerce in the world and as demand for new services grows as does the need for smarter solutions and engagement strategies.

IMImobile Chief Executive Jay Patel stated that, “We are delighted to partner with Airtel Africa to help bring this offering to the market, which not only creates a much improved user experience for subscribers, but will also encourage and support the growth and variety of mobile content across Africa.”

Christian de Faria, Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Tap2Bill will give our customers access to services and content that were unavailable previously. It will support the growth of content services and enable content producers and merchants across Africa to share and benefit from Airtel's scale, market and technology."

IMImobile has worked with Airtel Africa since 2011 helping establish it as one of the leading mobile service providers and innovators across Africa. Tap2Bill is a direct carrier billing service enabling the purchase and payment of merchant digital goods and services via a carrier mobile phone bill.

The Tap2Bill portal will be commercially available in December 2015.