MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) South Africa has launched a rent-to-own smartphone solution, unlocking access for the unbanked and underserved to own a 4G or 5G smartphone from as little as R10 a day.

Powered by MTN’s trusted fintech platform in partnership with Airvantage, the service uses advanced artificial intelligence- (AI-) driven affordability assessments, with no payslip, no credit check history or paperwork required.

The process is smart, secure and tailored to the realities of South Africa’s informal and underbanked economy, says MTN South Africa Fintech CEO Kagiso Mothibi.

Once approved, customers choose a flexible payment plan of either three, six, nine or twelve months, and once the payments are complete, the device is theirs to own.

“We are not just launching another product; we are changing the game,” Mothibi says, noting that smartphones are gateways to opportunity, education and financial inclusion. By enabling rent-to-own through the MTN MoMo App, the company is placing that gateway into more hands than ever before.

“This is what customer-first innovation looks like. We are bringing people into the digital world with dignity, simplicity and flexibility.”

“Together with MTN, we are using data science and fintech to democratise access to smartphones. It is technology with purpose, at scale,” adds Airvantage CEO Tandi Kuper.

The launch phase features 4G-enabled Samsung smartphones, with more brands to follow.

This follows MTN’s launch of Smartphone For All and Shesh@ 5G SIM Delivery.

Meanwhile, in a separate initiative, MTN has launched a full-scale deployment of digital identity system with real-time biometrics on any device across all MTN stores nationwide.

The rollout follows a six-month pilot across 20% of its stores, where the biometric identification system significantly improved onboarding efficiency and reduced identity fraud, while delivering a more seamless customer experience.

The new system allows for real-time fingerprint and facial recognition during customer onboarding or re-identification, enabling faster processing of contract applications and dramatically reducing the risk of identity-related fraud.

This biometric system not only simplifies onboarding while assisting in fraud prevention in the telecommunications sector.

By replacing manual processes with instant biometric validation, MTN has simplified and shortened the path to connectivity. Customers applying for new contracts will use biometric authentication for near-instant approval and service activation.

“The deployment of this biometric system is part of our ongoing investment in innovation that makes our customers’ lives easier, safer and more connected,” says MTN South Africa customer operations executive Cornelia van Heerden.

The solution was implemented in partnership with biometric identity technology group Vigilate Al, whose advanced biometric infrastructure ensures the system’s accuracy, scalability and security.