Here is a screenshot of a screen I get very frequently. This is a tool I’ve used for quite a while on both my Glo and MTN lines. It’s much easier than buying with cash from a vendor and scratching (even though they all scratch for you these days) it’s still easier.
The problem is, majority of debit/credit card users in Nigeria don’t know this functionality exists. At the same time, there are people who use some other technologies to topup different from Quickteller as I have used in this case and achieve the same goal of convenience, maybe even more than me. An example of another such technology is Paga, which I’m very sure let’s you buy airtime and pay bills also.
I was out of the country for a few weeks and I could keep my lines actively roaming by topping-up online. I didn’t have to look for a recharge card seller when I landed at the airport or borrow someone elses phone because I had already topped up.
I guess the solution to the ignorance or distrust in systems like this comes through multiple channels and more technologies coming into this field and capturing their own pockets of the market. If you dont hear about Quickteller, you might see a Paga billboard. If you don’t see that you may find another service offering similar service online. The mobile operators should also make sure they aren’t missing out on this opportunity. We already have mtntopup.com other operators should also get their own platforms.
