The unbanked population of Africa are set to leapfrog traditional payment methods as the world’s first virtual card located on a mobile phone will soon become available in Kenya.

The Airtel 1time Shopping Card is a collaborative effort between mobile phone operator airtel Africa, Standard Chartered Bank and MasterCard Worldwide. The service will have its initial launch in Kenya, although no time-specific information has been released, and then be rolled-out across Africa, subject to regulatory approvals.

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The partnership between the parties will allow airtel African customers to use their mobile phones to make online purchases from MasterCard merchants around the world. Once the service goes live an airtel customer shopping online will be able to request a single-use shopping card number, which airtel money services will generate. A confirmation message is then sent to the consumer’s handset to notify them that the transaction is complete.

“[The] launch of the world’s first virtual number on a mobile card marks a big milestone in mobile commerce,” said Manoj Kohil, airtel CEO and joint managing director.

“The airtel 1time Shopping Card is proof that airtel will deliver innovative and relevant mobile solutions that will help consumers overcome the daily challenges in their lives. The solution will offer consumers a robust e-commerce solution that delivers security, accessibility, acceptance, ability and a global reach. Subsequent phases of the programme will allow airtel subscribers to make payment across the MasterCard network.” 

The global unbanked population with mobile phones is expected to grow 70% over the next year to 1.7bn people by 2012. The mobile payments opportunity is especially significant in Africa where there are close to 400m mobile phone users and an unbanked population of 230m households. Analyst firm Gartner predicts Africa will see 56% mobile penetration by 2014.

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“We are delighted with this unique strategic partnership with airtel and MasterCard Worldwide and are confident the airtel 1time Shopping Card will be the first of many such innovative products we will be able to roll out in the future”, said TS Anil, Standard Chartered’s global head for cards and personal loans.

“The launch of the airtel 1time Shopping Card should fundamentally change the payments industry not just in Africa, but also across the world.”