MTN Group announced that it will launch a new instant messaging (IM) platform this year.
The group CEO, Rob Shuter reportedly said that the platform which is already in beta testing will offer a wide range of services including a mobile money offering, music streaming, SMS integration, and will support 54 languages.
He added “It will begin launching across our operational markets this year, starting with two West African markets”.
If it is not already obvious, MTN is proposing a super app (if you will), much like WeChat — the Chinese “multi-purpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app” — that will serve the unbanked and underbanked population in Africa.