NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MoneyGram (NASDAQ: MGI), a leading global money transfer and payment services company, is investing in business growth in East Africa as well as in the health of communities it serves.
MoneyGram has opened an office in Nairobi, to provide increased presence and support for agents, consumers and business partners in Kenya and East Africa. The new regional office marks the company's fourth in Africa, with others in Morocco, South Africa and Nigeria. East Africa, widely considered a booming hub of economic activity on the continent, offers a strong platform for developing relationships with prospective future agents throughout the region.
"Kenya and across all of East Africa is an exciting market with immense opportunities, and we look forward to playing an integral role in providing financial services in the region," says Herve Chomel, MoneyGram's vice president, Africa. "Our new office will serve as a home base for MoneyGram to focus on our strategy of reaching more of our customers in the African communities."
In addition to opening a new office in East Africa, the MoneyGram Foundation donated nearly $43,000 through the Global Gratitude Alliance to the Maisha Children's Home, a refuge for orphans affected by political violence and/or HIV/AIDS in rural Kenya. The funds will help pay for school tuition, purchase books, and construct a new boarding house and computer lab.
"MoneyGram is not only committed to helping drive economic development and financial growth in East Africa, we are also dedicated to improving the lives of residents through transformational education programs and residential support," says Julia Taylor, MoneyGram's vice president of corporate strategy and global communications, and president of the MoneyGram Foundation. "We have a long history of philanthropic giving and are proud to provide assistance to the communities where we operate."
MoneyGram also is working to improve the lives of women and children in the area by co-sponsoring with agent banks free medical camps. Each year, more than 1,000 women and children will receive free medical attention through these facilities.
About MoneyGram International, Inc.
MoneyGram, a leading money transfer company, provides essential services to consumers who are not fully served by traditional financial institutions. MoneyGram offers worldwide money transfer services in more than 200 countries and territories through a global network of 347,000 agent locations, including retailers, international post offices and banks. MoneyGram also offers bill payment services, issues money orders and processes official checks in select markets.