E-Financial
Cellulant Urges Partnerships in Driving Africa’s Payments Transformation
Payments have traditionally been a challenge for African businesses and their banks. Businesses must work with a huge number of partners, for instance, to handle the many forms of payments that customers use, as each nation favors a distinct set of options. Card payments, where banks excel, have extremely little penetration, which is a problem for banks given the size of the unbanked population and the popularity of mobile money.
In a continent where merchants and consumers are increasingly shifting to digital payment channels, banks and other financial service providers (FSIs) need to find ways to modernize their payments infrastructure.
Fintech companies on the other hand are disrupting this payments landscape by revolutionizing how consumers are accessing financial services. By collaborating with fintech companies, legacy financial institutions can leverage their technology to remain competitive in a now digital first landscape whereas fintechs can tap into the laid structures to expand their reach.
“The payment ecosystem is very complex. Banks and fintechs need to collaborate in order to be successful. That’s how we will be able to facilitate greater levels of financial inclusivity across income levels.” reiterated Faith Nkatha Gitonga, Cellulant’s Country Manager in Kenya, speaking at the Africa Fintech Summit, which was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Upperhill Nairobi and organized by Dx5 (formerly CIO Africa).
She cited the recent partnership between Cellulant and Grey Finance which enables customers to conveniently receive international payments in local currency using mobile money as a prime example of how partnerships open up efficient and seamless transactions for thousands of people on the continent.
She also revealed that the ability to integrate mobile money and bank transfers within the African continent is the major value proposition Cellulant offers to partners like Grey.
She affirmed that Cellulant believes that abundant opportunities exist in the payment space in Africa as the continent is still not a cashless economy yet.
“There are still cash heavy industries like the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry which provide a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate and provide relevant and appropriate payment solutions.
“Even in Kenya, which has one of the highest levels of financial inclusion, only about 50-60% of our transactions are digital; in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa this is typically 30% or lower.”
Cellulant views fintech partnerships as a means to support financial inclusion and growth of not only individual businesses but Africa’s economy as a whole. Faith touched on Cellulants evolution over the years, from a digital content business to mobile and digital banking and now to a digital payment solution provider.
“Customer delight is what differentiates Cellulant from the other players in the market. We strive for excellence and the best outcomes when serving our customers across our 35 markets.” Faith pointed out. “This is a culture that was instilled into our staff by the founders from the early days.”
She affirmed this laser focus on the customer is the main reason why leading brands across different sectors such as aviation, telecommunications, e-Commerce, food and beverage services, ride hailing apps, retail and remittance trust Cellulant to power their payments.
“We are committed to making sure that they are well taken care of and satisfied with the services we provide. We like to say that ‘when you follow the customer, you follow the money ’ Over the years, we have been innovating because we want to be at the heart of what the customer is feeling and wants. We always want to be ahead of that.”
Sofri, Powered by Links Microfinance Bank plans a massive rollout of Point of Sale, PoS terminals for merchants and agency banking in the third quarter of this year.
This is coming against the backdrop of the banks revamp of its digital platforms to support better customer experience.
Paul Adebayo, managing director, Sofri, said the bank is technology and purpose-driven, with focus on financial inclusion and sustainability. As well with the determination of making banking simpler, inclusive, and impactful.
He said that the revamped mobile app features, faster onboarding, cleaner interface, real-time alerts, enhanced security and seamless loan applications.
“Our corporate internet banking Launched for SMEs and institutional clients features, secure payments, transfers, account management and enhances business banking experience.
“Laying the groundwork for greater reliability, product innovation and operational efficiency is our new core banking infrastructure. This change enables us to scale faster and serve customers better.
“Our Terminal Management System (TMS) improves the performance, uptime, and remote monitoring of our POS terminals. This ensures merchants and field agents enjoy better stability, quicker settlements, and stronger support,” he added.
On sustainability impact, Adebayo, added that Sofri is embedding ESG principles into its lending and operational models — from offering green financing options, to supporting waste-to-wealth entrepreneurs, and making inclusive finance part of Nigeria’s circular economy.
Sofri is a trademark of Links Microfinance Limited (Links Mfb). Links Mfb is licensed and regulated by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and deposits insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). Links Mfb is a member of DLM Capital Group, owners of DLM Asset Management as regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Current market research has confirmed that buyside investors are increasingly focused on high-growth sectors such as small businesses and consumer lending— sectors that fuel both the demand and supply sides of the economy.
However, capital allocation to these areas requires robust risk mitigation frameworks to preserve principal and ensure returns that are not just economically viable but outpace inflation.
Against the backdrop that DLM Capital Group has developed an innovative solution – the Sovereign Bond Backed Composite Notes (SBCNs) to meet this critical economy needs.
According to Sonnie Babatunde Ayere, the Group CEO of DLM Capital Group, “We believe that the consistent issuance of SBCNs by qualified entities will play a key role in de-risking corporate bond portfolios.
“By blending sovereign-backed security with enhanced yield exposure, portfolio managers gain a rare opportunity to simultaneously increase portfolio safety and performance”.
The first of its kind fixed income product combines the security of direct sovereign bond-backed principal protection, such as FGN Bonds, with the enhanced yield potential of corporate and consumer lending cash flows. This hybrid structure, the first of its kind in the local market, merges public-sector credit safety with private-sector income generation.
The instrument is designed as such that the private sector credit tranche will be secured by the FGN-bonds, which will be the senior tranche.
The N30 billion Sovereign Bond Backed Composite Notes issued by DLM Funding SPV Plc is being packaged as a AAA-rated note. With a held-to-maturity yield of 49.9 percent, the notes are designed to be attractive to institutional investors seeking a balance between capital preservation and superior returns.
Sonnie Babatunde Ayere, noted about the SBCN, “For asset managers, it enhances portfolio quality, improves credit profiles, supports diversification, and delivers competitive returns.
In a media parley describing the instrument, Ayere highlighted the role of the instrument in driving credit expansion to the underserved private sector. He highlighted how the note could help drive institutional capital into sectors that were previously considered too risky.
“By channeling domestic capital into these critical but underserved sectors without exposing investors to excessive risk, it becomes possible to mobilize funding for parts of the economy that have long been neglected.” He added.
E-Financial
Fidelity MD,Onyeali-Ikpe Champions Lifelong Learning and Sisterhood for Women’s Career Growth
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, has encouraged women professionals to embrace continuous learning, courage, and collaboration as key habits for achieving long-term career success and breaking through professional barriers.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, OON, (Middle) flanked by participants of a Women’s Roundtable themed, “Mentorship with Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe” hosted by the bank over the weekend at the Fidelity SME Hub, Gbagada, Lagos recently.
She gave the charge during a Women’s Roundtable hosted by the bank over the weekend at the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos. Themed “Mentorship with Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe”, the event drew female professionals from various sectors and was held under the Recognition and Networking arm of the bank’s HerFidelity Proposition—a flagship initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs and professionals across Nigeria.
Explaining the vision behind HerFidelity, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe noted that the initiative was born out of a strong need to provide women with holistic support beyond access to finance.
“In my engagements with women across different industries, I’ve seen first-hand that while talent and ambition abound, many still lack access to capital, skills development, health support, and networks,” she said.
“HerFidelity was created to bridge that gap by focusing on four key pillars: access to capital, capacity building, wellness for work-life balance, and entrepreneurship support. It’s one of the initiatives I’m most proud of, because when women thrive, communities prosper and economies flourish.”
The interactive mentorship session, held in a Q&A format, offered participants an opportunity to learn directly from the trailblazing CEO, who shared personal experiences and career insights.
Advising young women aspiring to leadership, she said: “Believe in yourself, be ready to work hard, and never shy away from taking smart risks. Seek out mentors, invest in meaningful relationships, and above all, collaborate—because no one truly succeeds alone.”
The event also featured fun competitions and giveaways, with attendees winning exciting gifts courtesy of Fidelity Bank.
Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s session left participants inspired, reinforcing Fidelity Bank’s position as a champion for gender empowerment and a leading supporter of women’s advancement in business and leadership.
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