Bharti Airtel is to launch a service that enables its money subscribers to send, receive and withdraw cash from their mobile wallets across international borders in East Africa.

A pilot phase starts on 1 November involving Airtel in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, following approval by those countries’ central banks.

The second phase will see the service rolled out to other Airtel operating countries within the next year.

The company also has operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger and Zambia.

“This is a key milestone for Airtel Money customers because a big virtual barrier has been removed and our customers will be able to transact with ease, across national borders,” said Chidi Okpala, director and head of Airtel Money.

The pilot project will also enable Bank of Africa customers in Kenya and Uganda to send and receive money across the two countries.

Back in August, Airtel partnered with rival Tigo on an innovative cross-network mobile money transfer service.