Mobile network operator Africell has unveiled a structural feature for its Afrimoney mobile wallet platform: a dedicated Next-of-Kin Service. Officially introduced on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during an executive briefing at the company’s Wilberforce headquarters in Freetown, the initiative integrates emergency contact designation into routine mobile money account administration.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Ms. Rebecca Sankoh before Martison Obeng-Agyei delivered an operational overview of the system. Drawing an explicit comparison to standard human resources procedures where employers mandate emergency contact details for staff Obeng-Agyei explained that the service establishes a protocol for subscriber account verification during severe life events, including incapacitation, critical illness, or death.
Key Governance & Compliance Rules
A central focus of the launch was establishing the precise legal boundaries of the next-of-kin designation. Obeng-Agyei repeatedly clarified that nominating a contact does not grant automatic inheritance rights or instant financial withdrawal privileges
The core features and regulatory rules include:
Access to Information Only: The designated individual is authorized solely to receive account status details when a subscriber is unable to manage their wallet.
No Direct Asset Transfer: The service does not bypass standard inheritance law or regional estate administration requirements.
Strict Legal Verification: In the event of a subscriber’s death, release of funds requires formal documentation, legal proof of entitlement, and direct family involvement.
Single Nomination Policy: Account holders may register exactly one primary contact, who must be at least 18 years of age.
Account Standardization and Activation Steps
To prevent administrative disputes or identity mismatches during emergency inquiries, Africell urged users to audit their existing Know-Your-Customer (KYC) details. Obeng-Agyei warned against using shared credentials or secondary family identities for SIM registration, stressing that accuracy in names, birth dates, and residential addresses is a prerequisite for adding a next of kin.
Subscribers can update their profile and configure emergency contact details through the standard USSD menu sequence:
1. Dial *161*8*6# from the registered Afrimoney device.
2. Select Option 8 (“My Account”).
3. Select Option 6 (“Activate Your Details”).
4. Follow the prompts to verify personal data and submit next-of-kin details.
The launch concluded with a interactive session addressing subscriber privacy, legal compliance, and operational edge cases, confirming that the tool is designed to enhance customer security while upholding established financial safeguards
