MTN Nigeria partners Intelligra on smartphone financing scheme

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has partnered with Intelligra to launch a smartphone financing scheme for its customers.

The telco announced this at a press conference on Wednesday in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Adia Sowho, chief marketing officer, MTN Nigeria, said the scheme would enable customers to acquire quality smartphones without breaking the bank.

She said the smartphone will come with added benefits of monthly data allowance, voice call minutes and device protection against theft and screen damage.

“With this partnership, customers will have the opportunity to subscribe to any of the MTN bundle plans for as low as N7,000/month and walk away with a smartphone of your choice; pay over six to 12 months with as little as n0 initial deposit,” Sowho said.

“Redeem a one-time free screen replacement when broken and receive a one-time free phone replacement when stolen, provided the customer has an active and up-to-date subscription.”

Sowho expressed optimism that the partnership with Intelligra would drive financial inclusion, the digital goals of financing devices and making them accessible to the average man.

“It will also grant customers access to the internet, entertainment, and education and allow users to communicate easily,” Sowho added.

On his part, Tayo Ogundipe, founder and chief executive officer, Intelligra Solutions Ltd, said the partnership with MTN, and collaborations with financing institutions including StanbicIBTC, VFD Mfb, Personal Trust Mfb, Credit Direct Ltd., and others; has helped to find a solution to smartphone penetration for Africans through increased digital and financial inclusion.

“The ecosystem also includes leading smartphone retail chain in Nigeria, SLOT, and other major retail players across the country,” Ogundipe said.

“These collaborations offer MTN users across the country, a unique, convenient, simple, and flexible variant of ‘buy-now, pay Later’ (BNPL) with their choice of premium, quality brands including Samsung, Nokia, Tecno, Infinix and iTel models.”