MTN Ghana to Scrap Phone Number Sharing for MoMo Cash-Outs with New QR Code System

MTN Ghana to Scrap Phone Number Sharing for MoMo Cash-Outs with New QR Code System

MTN Ghana Foundati on has unveiled plans to overhaul how Mobile Money withdrawals are done at agent outlets, removing the need for customers to share their phone numbers during cash-out transactions.

Under the upcoming system, set to launch next year, every registered MoMo agent will receive a unique QR code and agent ID PIN. These will replace the current method that requires customers to provide their mobile number to initiate a withdrawal.

According to MTN’s Senior Manager for Commercial Mobile Money, Abdul-Majeed Rufai, the redesign aims to protect customers from social engineering scams and the harvesting of phone numbers by fraudsters. Instead of giving out personal information, users will simply scan an agent’s QR code or enter the agent’s ID to start and complete a cash-out directly on their handset.

Technically, the QR code will serve as a secure identifier linking agents’ terminals with MTN’s mobile money platform, verifying and authorizing transactions without exposing sensitive customer details.

Rufai revealed the initiative during the MTN MoMo Dinner and Awards Night in Kumasi, noting that the innovation is expected to improve security, cut down on human error, and boost traceability across the network.

MTN says the move is part of a broader digital transformation effort to modernize mobile financial services and enhance operational efficiency across its nationwide agent network.