AYV News, August 13, 2026
Afrimoney has introduced a new Next-of-Kin Service aimed at strengthening customer protection and providing families with a structured way to obtain vital information about customers’ mobile money wallets in the event of death or incapacity.
The service was officially launched on Tuesday, 11th August 2026, at Africell’s headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown, marking a significant development in the company’s approach to customer wallet management and financial continuity.
Speaking at the launch, Afrimoney Chief Executive Officer Martison Obeng Agyei explained that the initiative establishes a formal process for dealing with customer wallets when account holders are no longer able to manage their accounts. He said the requirement for customers to nominate a next of kin is consistent with established practices across regulated institutions, where individuals are routinely asked to provide trusted contacts when opening bank accounts, completing employment documentation and accessing other formal services.
Obeng Agyei noted that the initiative is particularly important because Afrimoney wallets can contain significant funds and operate in ways comparable to bank accounts. He explained that the Next-of-Kin Service will allow customers to nominate a trusted person who can be contacted and provided with relevant information about their wallet when the account holder is no longer available.
However, he stressed that being listed as a next of kin does not automatically give the nominated individual the right to withdraw, transfer or receive money from another person’s wallet.
According to the CEO, where an Afrimoney customer dies, the company will require appropriate legal documentation establishing the authority of the person seeking access to the deceased customer’s funds before any money can be released.
He explained that the nominated next of kin can assist the family by obtaining relevant information about the wallet and helping to facilitate the legal process required to establish entitlement to funds held in the account.
The Afrimoney CEO also urged customers to ensure that the personal information linked to their wallets is accurate, complete and regularly updated. He encouraged customers to provide their correct full names, properly spelt personal details and addresses to help the company accurately identify account holders and ensure that wallet-related matters are handled with the appropriate individuals.
He further advised customers to review their next-of-kin information regularly and make necessary changes whenever their personal or family circumstances change.
Obeng Agyei cautioned customers against nominating children or individuals who may lack the legal capacity to participate in estate administration. Instead, he encouraged customers to select a trusted person who is at least 18 years old and capable of participating in the relevant legal and administrative processes.
He also advised customers not to disregard the importance of registering a next of kin simply because their wallets currently contain little or no money, noting that financial circumstances can change over time.
The launch of the Next-of-Kin Service forms part of Afrimoney’s broader efforts to improve customer protection, strengthen wallet management and provide greater assurance to customers and their families. Obeng Agyei called on the media to help educate the public about the initiative and encouraged Afrimoneycustomers to access their wallet settings and complete their next-of-kin details.
He said the ultimate objective is to ensure that, in circumstances of death or incapacity, families can obtain necessary information about their loved ones’ wallets and follow the appropriate legal procedures to establish their entitlement to any funds held in them.
