Airtime for your cell phone

The first in a series (maybe) of tips for living in West Africa.

How to get more airtime for your mobile phone

Most mobile phones are sold on the basis of purchasing airtime as you go. This comes in the form of scratch off cards that are sold around the country. If you are very lucky, you may have a company paid phone that is taken care of by the purchasing department, or whomever. But that system often screws up one way or another so most people also carry a pay as you go phone for backup. Follow the menus on your phone to see if you are getting low, if so, follow these instructions.

1. Turn your head in the direction of one of the many hawkers waving strings of phone cards. These can be found in between lanes of traffic, in parking lots, markets or pretty much everywhere. Oftentimes they sit under colorful umbrellas as in the picture. They will notice and come right over. Select the amount and the company your phone uses. The different companies use different denominations of cards, I generally buy an MTN N700 card. Before you know the available values for your company it is better to purchase in a static location as it can get a bit hectic figuring our what cards to buy while moving in traffic.
2. Cards are fixed price, the hawker has bought them from a wholesale dealer and is reselling them to you for a small profit each.
3. Note that the hawker pulls a pack of cards out of his pocket, selects one and sells it to you. It should be wrapped in plastic. The cards that are waved around have already been used and are for display purposes only.
4. Give the card and your phone to your driver. He will take off the plastic and toss it out the window, scratch off the printing over the card pin number, dial the phone company number and enter the pin, toss the used card out the window and return the phone to you. Do not attempt this yourself. You will be unable to get it right and also be insulting the driver with your lack of confidence in his capability.

Or, more simply, just have your driver do the whole thing. This can be very convenient if he is parking while you are shopping or having your nails done. When you come out, it's all taken care of and everyone's happy. Your driver may have been able to make a small profit on the transaction and you weren't bothered by the whole ordeal.

If a card seller approaches you when you don't need to purchase, just shake your head, or simply stare off into space until he gets the message. You will have practiced the stare when passing the beggars while leaving Park and Shop.