Airtel’s CEO Says Telco-led Mobile Money will Deepen Retail Banking

Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, ‎chief executive officer and managing director of Airtel Nigeria, has called for a review of the current mobile money model, saying a telco-led model will help expand retail banking, thereby driving financial inclusion in the unbanked segment.

Currently, telecoms companies are not permitted to provide their own mobile money services as the current model approved by the financial regulator, Central Bank of Nigeria, empowers banks to provide mobile money services while telecoms companies play only a supporting role.

Speaking, recently, at the annual lecture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, Ogunsanya said for the mobile money market to reach its full potential, it is important that restrictions on telco activity in m-money are lifted.

According to him, Agency/Agent Banking as well as mobile money can help deepen penetration in retail banking in the country, suggesting that the mobile money sector is rather slow at this time because they are led by banks.

“The overwhelming majority of the adult population is unbanked; however, mobile penetration is approximately 78%. The market opportunity for mobile money is therefore vast. The number of mobile money transactions has increased at a rapid rate over the past 3 years – further adoption will be driven by increased awareness.”

The Airtel Boss also advised that for banks to expand its retail footprints, they must seek to develop simple products, push for transparency and ensure that their products and services are relevant to the target segment.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Michael Lafferty, chairman, Lafferty Group, UK and guest lecturer at the occasion, said he is a strongadvocate of retail banking becoming a profession and he passionately believes that retail bankers should be required to act in the best interests of their clients at all times.

“This means that retail bankers must be educated to a similar standard as accountants and lawyers, bound by a demanding ethical code and required to commit to continuing professional development,” he said.

The theme of this year’s lecture was ‘The Changing Global Retail Banking Landscape: How Competitive are Nigerian Banks?’and the event was chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former secretary General of Commonwealth.

Hosted by the president/chairman of council, CIBN, Otunba (Mrs.) Debola Osibogun, FCIB, the lecture attracted various chieftains of the banking and finance industry, top public officials, foreign diplomats, academia as well as top executives of the organized private sector

The CIBN annual lecture focuses on topical issues within the Nigerian economy and aimed at highlighting key issues and ideas that will influence policy makers.