Analysts in East Africa are excited over the moves being made by India's Bharti Airtel in the company's push toward a larger footprint on the African continent. That confidence received even more support after the mobile operator announced a new push for mobile-based payment services across the region. “It is a great step for Airtel and Africa because it means there is going to be real and lasting investment from outside by companies who see the potential of the African market,” said Javed Hassan, an Indian analyst based in Nairobi. “What we are witnessing is a truly monumental move by Airtel and Indian telecoms toward the African market with success, and all the while nobody seems to be noticing,” he added. According to Airtel CEO for Africa Manoj Kohli in a conference call with local reporters, the company will launch Airtel Money, or M-Commerce services, into 8 countries over the next year. He added that the services will not be discontinued after this time. The company is launching the new M-Commerce as an independent business venture in Kenya and has already received the Central Bank approval in the 8 countries it plans on launching in. BM
