Leading mobile telecommunication network says the reduction in the volume of its recharge cards is in line with their strategy to go largely digital.

The pronouncement comes on the back of complaints by vendors and the general public about the shortage of MTN recharge cards otherwise known as scratch cards on the market.

As of the end of 2020, MTN physical recharge cards made up only 5 percent of the recharge options made available by the telecoms giant to the general public.

In an interview with Citi Business News on the recent complaints of a shortage, the General Manager for Regional Sales in the Southern sector, Abubakar Mohammed encouraged vendors and the general public to explore its other options for accessing airtime.

“We started the digitization of recharging in 2006. Back then, it was called unit transfer. So the retailers know that scratch cards have been reduced. With the advent of COVID-19, we all need to emphasize and support the electronic and digitization efforts. We need to encourage people to reduce contact by buying airtime on their own through the MoMo self-direct or through the EVD service.”

Apart from the cards which used to make up about 30 percent, when it comes to recharging back in 2016, the network also allows recharging of airtime to be done via the Electronic Virtual Distribution (EVD) system otherwise known as credit transfer as well as the use of mobile money to buy airtime among others.

When asked about the possible loss of earnings for vendors who sell scratch cards, Mr. Mohammed emphasized the need to prioritize the safety and health of the general public as it seeks to carry out its mandate.