Orange has struck a deal with Ecobank that will enable customers in several African countries to transfer money between accounts with the telco and financial services group through their mobile phones.

Already live in Mali, and coming to Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Conakry, Niger, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the next few months, the service lets users top up their Orange Money e-wallet from their bank account, and vice versa.

Orange has built up a substantial customer base of more than 12 million people in 13 African countries for its mobile money service, offering fund transfers, bill payment and, in some places, savings and insurance products.

The Ecobank deal follows similar tie-ups with BNP Paribas and Bank of Africa that are designed to make it easier for customers to manage their cash and get access to it through expanded physical networks.

Laurent Paillassot, deputy CEO in charge of customer experience and mobile banking, Orange, says: “By facilitating exchanges between Ecobank and Orange Money accounts, our customers will be able to conduct financial transactions quickly and in complete security, bringing them the best of both worlds. We want to offer this service wherever it makes sense.”