Tigo Rwanda and MTN Rwanda have been in tight competition especially after Rwandatel’s licensed was revoked by RURA earlier on this year. The two companies have shifted competition to the mobile money service as the demand for the service increases.
The mobile money service has enabled the large population of unbanked people be able to transact money through their mobile phones. TIGO Rwanda has registered 9,127 subscribers with an average of 1,917 transactions per day since they launched their mobile money services. The company has 270 agents operating the service.
On the other hand, MTN had registered almost 300,000 users on their mobile money platform, generating revenues of approximately USD 33 million (Rwf 19.5 billion) since the launch of the service last year. MTN has 377 agents operating the service.

Statistics published by the Central Bank indicate that both operators have a combined 212,012 transactions, transferring Rwf 4.1 billion in the first six months of the year. With competition between the two stiffening by day, MTN Rwanda has announced plans to launch a two month cash promotion contest worth Rwf 60 million.

The promotion dubbed “Faranga Y’ello Y’ello” will run for 5 weeks. Every week, one winner will be awarded with Rwf 10 million. The final draw for the grand prize of Rwf 13 million is scheduled for the 25 September 2011. Tigo Rwanda launched a similar programme last year.

The never ending competition has been there for a while now and seems like it is not about to cease. From Tigo’s handset competing with MTN’s blackberry to MTN introducing low cost internet enabled handsets, ranging from Rwf 18, 500 to Rwf 20, 000.

Although the statistics state that MTN is Rwanda’s leading Telecom firm with the largest market share, Tigo Rwanda are determined to be a force to reckon with.