Adding absolute value to products and services is what Liberia’s Leader in converged telecommunications does.  Lonestar Cell MTN, operating now in Liberia for 10 years, has always provided innovative products and services for its many subscribers more than any other GSM company in Liberia. With subscribers in all 15 counties in Liberia, Lonestar Cell MTN realizes that the mobile phone can do more than just serve as a means of communication.  It has now expanded on a new product introduced on the Liberian market – a product that clearly revolutionizes the idea of money transfer in and around Liberia.

Mobile Money, a cash management service through the use of the mobile phone is a new century innovation service successfully used in emerging markets, including many other countries where MTN operates. Mobile Money was officially launched commercially in Liberia in partnership with Ecobank Liberia with the full approval of the Central Bank of Liberia a little over 10 months ago.  Since its commercial launch, subscribers and non- subscribers have hailed the service as excellent, pragmatic and useful to the average Liberian, especially business men and women in rural Liberia.

Statistics show that just about only 10% of Liberians have bank accounts while over 40% of the population has mobile phones.  So, with difficult roads and limited formal banking facilities around Liberia, Mobile Money  provide the opportunity for more Liberians, particularly in the rural areas to have access to cash, transfer money, pay bills, do business and improve their lives economically.

A local market woman when asked about the service said “Lonestar Cell MTN is clearly a Leader that has distinguished itself as a provider of innovative and high quality solutions. I can now send money to my son in the rural area to pay his school fees. I thank God for Lonestar Cell MTN.”

Lonestar Cell MTN’s Chief Executive Officer Tebogo Mogapi says there are many exciting and innovative products and services planned for subscribers and the general public.  “We are again excited to say that one of those services is Mobile Money which is based on latest technology introduced in continuation of Lonestar Cell MTN’s efforts of keeping Liberia abreast of modern technology. The launch of Mobile Money in Liberia allows one to perform a range of financial transactions using Mobile Technology.”   He said this follows the introduction of Liberia’s first Mobile Broadband Internet service iConnect, which provides the fastest mobile internet service to businesses, residences, schools and other places.

It can be recalled that in a Special Statement from Lonestar Cell MTN  to President Sirleaf during the July 26 Independence Celebration, Mr. Mogapi said that celebrating its 10th year of operating in Liberia, Lonestar Cell MTN has strived to support the developmental agenda of the Liberian  government in a sustainable way that reaches out to all Liberians.  “Clearly, Madam President, we remain impressed with several of your developmental initiatives and as such, have decided to compliment Government’s efforts in support of education, health and youth employment. We believe by continuing to support these critical pillars of your government’s agenda, Lonestar Cell MTN will be in tandem with the government’s efforts to bring to fruition your great vision: Liberia Rising 2030” Mr. Mogapi wrote in his statement to President Sirleaf.

Mr. Mogapi informed president Sirleaf that  Lonestar Cell, a member of the MTN Group, a multi-national South African Company headquartered in Johannesburg with operations in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East has over the last ten years remained motivated to create innovative, yet relevant products and services while supporting the government’s developmental agenda.   He said that Lonestar Cell MTN see the celebration of 10 years of its operations in Liberia as a major achievement not for Lonestar Cell MTN alone, but for the government of Liberia whose excellent policies have promoted a business environment conducive for companies to dream new dreams and produce usable products for the Liberian market.

According to a Senior Official at the Ministry of Finance, Mobile Money is indeed a usable product that clearly supports the government’s own vision and drive to reach out to Civil Servants in rural areas especially where transportation is a challenge. He said the Ministry of Finance was elated that this platform can be used to pay Civil Servants throughout the country without having them to travel long distances at high transportation costs.

Currently, Lonestar Cell MTN is the only Telecommunications Company in Liberia partnering with EcoBank that has launched this product with approval from the Central Bank.

Many Liberians have expressed great appreciation to Lonestar Cell MTN and continue to remark that Lonestar Cell MTN remains the leader in converged telecommunications in Liberia.