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Chief Commercial Officer of Itex, Adekunle Adebiyi Highlights Role of Fintech in Financial Inclusion
Adekunle Adebiyi, Chief Commercial Officer at Itex Integrated Services Ltd, spoke extensively on the impact of fintech and Nigeria’s financial inclusion goals, in a recent interview on popular Lagos radio station, Nigeria Info FM.
Adebiyi shed light on the role of fintech in the country’s financial inclusion strategy, and how a focus on rural distribution can help reach more unbanked Nigerians. “Fintechs work with traditional banks to improve the sustainability and accessibility of the services they offer to the public.
“Because of this, distribution is crucial if we are to reach Nigerians without bank accounts. Rural areas, where more unbanked people reside, must become the focus instead of metropolitan and semi-urban areas.
“As a country, we have made progress toward financial inclusion, but if we are to meet our goal, we must use financial technology.”
Rural communities continue to suffer as banks cut operational costs by reducing the number of ATMs and branches, focusing instead on getting more customers to embrace digital banking through smartphones. Yet, 40 percent of adults living in rural areas have no formal bank account and limited smartphone access.
Thankfully, PoS terminals and mobile money agents are increasing, providing financial services and, in some cases, acting as an agent through which the unbanked can open tier 1 bank accounts requiring only passport photographs.
It was important to understand that traditional banking and fintech were both sides of the same coin. “Traditional banking and financial technology are not on either side of the divide; I see a convergence. Fintech is about using technology to enhance the process of financing, making it easier, accessible and sustainable.
For example, Itex has made buying electric bills easier; with a mobile device you can top up and pay for power without leaving the comfort of your home, that’s the effect of financial technology.”
Although Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa and is home to five of Africa’s seven unicorns, its target for financial inclusion as stated in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (Revised) in 2018 had a goal to reach 80% financial inclusion in the year 2020, but only 64% of Nigerian adults were financially included by the end of 2020.
According to World Bank’s 2021 Global Findex, Nigeria was one of seven nations that contributed to half of the world’s unbanked population. By the end of 2021, the number of financially excluded persons in Nigeria was estimated to be 38 million, even though the gap between banked and unbanked people has been closing since 2011.
These numbers are not surprising given that 47.25 per cent of the Nigerian population live in rural areas and cannot get efficient financial services because most traditional banks do not have extensive branch networks.
However, Nigeria is progressively narrowing the gap between the banked and unbanked, and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s goal for financial inclusion no longer feels like a far-off dream since the rise of fintech and agent banking in the financial sector.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, digital financial transactions increased by 325 per cent to ₦704.04 trillion in 2020 from ₦165.8 trillion in 2019.
According to NIBSS data as of August 2022, the volume of financial transactions in a month had reached an all-time high, totalling ₦238.7 trillion. Nigerians may support the CBN’s cashless strategy, but that does not necessarily mean that the unbanked have increased access to these financial services. As a result, fintech is crucial in Nigeria’s effort to achieve financial inclusion.
The Central bank of Nigeria has set a target to reach 95 per cent financial inclusion by 2040. With innovations spearheaded by fintech, an increase in mobile money operators, the recent increase in Nigeria’s financial inclusion rate, and collaboration among stakeholders, the projection is not nearly as unachievable as it may have seemed years ago.
Tech giants Google and Meta have called on the Australian government to delay a proposed bill that would ban children under 16 from accessing most social media platforms.
The companies argue that more time is needed to assess the bill’s impact and await results from an age-verification trial.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government aims to pass the legislation—one of the strictest globally on children’s social media use—by Thursday, the final day of the parliamentary year. Introduced last week, the bill was open for public submissions for just one day, drawing criticism for its expedited timeline.
The proposed law would require social media companies, rather than parents or children, to enforce age-verification measures, potentially using biometrics or government-issued identification. Companies found in breach could face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million).
Meta criticised the bill as “inconsistent and ineffective” without clear results from the age-verification trial. Google echoed the sentiment, urging for a measured approach to ensure Australians understand the implications of the legislation.
TikTok raised “significant concerns” over the lack of consultation with experts, social media platforms, mental health organisations, and young people. “Novel policies must be drafted thoroughly to ensure their success,” the company stated.
Elon Musk’s X also opposed the bill, arguing it could infringe on children’s human rights, including their freedom of expression and access to information. Musk, a vocal advocate for free speech, accused the government of using the bill as a backdoor to control internet access.
The opposition Liberal Party has signalled support for the bill, while some independent lawmakers have criticised the government for rushing its passage. A Senate committee report on the bill is expected on Tuesday.
If passed, the bill will place Australia at the forefront of regulating children’s online activity, but its swift progression and potential implications have sparked a heated debate over privacy, freedom, and the role of government in digital spaces.
TECNO SPARK 30 city tour made a memorable stop at Ikeja City Mall on November 15th, bringing with it an infectious energy that electrified the entire city.
As the event unfolded, it was clear that this was more than just a product showcase – it was an immersive experience designed to thrill and delight.
The day’s festivities kicked off with the iconic TECNO SPARK 30 transformer bus, painted in bold red and blue hues, rolling into action.
The bus served as the hub for a games grotto, where fans immersed themselves in thrilling digital games and adventures.
Outside, the excitement spilled over, with attendees engaging in friendly competitions of Jenga, Monopoly, Ludo, and chess.
These games sparked laughter, playful banter, and a sense of camaraderie among strangers.
As the games heated up, so did the rewards. Purchasers of the TECNO SPARK 30 Pro enjoyed a N20,000 discount and a chance to win up to 100% cashback by participating in the games.
The atmosphere was electric, with cheers of victory, enthusiastic applause, and celebratory high-fives.
The excitement reached a fever pitch with the arrival of tech and lifestyle creator Kagan, accompanied by Big Brother Naija Season 9 stars Victoria and Ruthee.
The trio dove into the action, competing in games and claiming victory. They were awarded TECNO-branded gift items, earning cheers and applause from the thrilled crowd.
The event was an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
During peak shopping days, this threat intensifies.
Here’s what happens: with the surge in online deals, more employees may be shopping from their work computers, feeling that Cyber Monday is a legitimate time to do so.
This increases the risk of them clicking more freely and potentially exposing the organization to malicious links or phishing attacks.
To keep your organization safe, encourage your team to follow these simple tips:
• Don’t click deals in email that look too good to be true or are from businesses you don’t have accounts from – these could be phishing emails hoping to bait you into clicking links to bogus, malicious web sites.
This season, small steps can make a big difference in protecting against cyber threats.
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