Western Union regional boss Richard Malcolm at a past event. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
In Summary
- Mr Malcolm said Western Union was uniquely positioned to adopt technology in enhancing services via its 35,000 agents located across Africa via online, digital and mobile services.
- In Kenya, he said they had partnered with M-PESA as well as 1,600 postal and financial institutions, thereby enabling clients to send and receive money from its more than 500,000 agents worldwide.
- Western Union’s two-decade presence in Africa, he said, gave them a deep understanding of the market, which helped them adopt new technologies to enhance their services.
By JAMES KARIUKI
Western Union money transfer service has shown resilience despite fierce competition from mobile-based money transfer services, the company’s regional boss said on Tuesday.
Western Union Regional Vice President for South and East Africa Richard Malcolm said he was happy with the firms’ performance in Kenya, saying their traditional customers had returned after embracing other services.
“We are proud that consumers come back to us repeatedly for their money transfer needs in a market with more choices than ever before. Our strategy to face competition in the long run will see us open more access points providing customers with the solutions they need in countries across Africa,” he said.
Mr Malcolm said Western Union was uniquely positioned to adopt technology in enhancing services via its 35,000 agents located across Africa via online, digital and mobile services.
He spoke to the Nation when the global money transfer company announced a Sh20 million donation to 700 children living in SOS children’s homes in Kenya and 14 other African countries for school scholarships, purchase of critical school supplies and construction of new facilities.
Mr Malcolm said the donation was part of the company’s commitment to giving back to society that supported Western Union’s commercial activities, adding that various innovative products had been introduced to enhance services.
M-PESA PARTNERSHIP
In Kenya, he said they had partnered with M-PESA as well as 1,600 postal and financial institutions, thereby enabling clients to send and receive money from its more than 500,000 agents worldwide.
“The money transfer industry in Kenya is highly competitive, which has encouraged us to offer convenient, reliable and fast money transfer services. Competition is best for consumers as it provides them with more choices and better prices,” he said.
Mr Malcolm said Western Union continued to invest millions of shillings in enhancing compliance, fighting fraud and helping to protect consumers’ funds as well as training its employee on important programmes against money laundering.
“We also increasingly deliver services online, through bank accounts and mobile network partners.
“We strive to deter, detect and assist in combating serious and organized crime, money laundering and terrorism financing,” added Mr Malcolm.
Western Union’s two-decade presence in Africa, he said, gave them a deep understanding of the market, which helped them adopt new technologies to enhance their services.
