Connect with us

E-Financial

PocketMoni , EFInA Launch $350,000 MM Activation Project In North, South West

Published

on

Kindly share this post

eTranzact International PLC, Africa’s leading provider of mobile banking and payments services is proud to announce the investment of $350,000 into a mobile money activation project in collaboration with EFInA, a financial sector development organization.

The project which will be piloted  in Northern and South Western Nigeria is called “The PocketMoni 500” project.

The project which is in line with the Central Bank’s cashless policy has kicked off in Kano and Ogun States in Northern and South Western Nigeria respectively, and is aimed at driving the adoption of mobile money in those areas by educating and signing up local merchants and consumers.

eTranzact International PLC, which facilitates mobile banking services of 11 banks through its mobile switching platform, processes over N1 trillion every year and has more than 11 years’ experience processing financial transactions in Africa, got a Central Bank Mobile Money license for PocketMoni, its mobile money wallet in 2012.

EFInA (Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access) has provided a Technical Assistance Grant of $250,000 towards building a viable mobile payment ecosystem focused on the low-income population in Kano and Ogun State by incentivising and supporting eligible small businesses to serve as mobile payment merchants and agents.

EFInA is funded by the UK Government’s Department of International Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and has been championing financial inclusion in Nigeria since it was established in late 2007.  As part of the terms of the grant, eTranzact will also put in $100,000 and will drive the execution of the project.

With low internet penetration a major challenge to the adoption of mobile money in Nigeria, the key value proposition of eTranzact’s PocketMoni is ubiquity, being able to send, receive money and make payments using USSD, SMS, GPRS/lnternet and the web.

Speaking about the project, Mr Valentine Obi, CEO of eTranzact said; “We are very happy to be announcing this project at this time. Since we began our mobile money service in Nigeria, it has been clear that significant effort had to be made by stake holders at all levels to educate and incentivize merchants and users, and in collaboration with our partners, we will continue to push until the cashless policy goal is achieved.

This collaboration with EFInA is the first of a series of strategic partnerships we have planned, we will be launching other similar projects in other parts of Nigeria and our team of mobile money evangelists will be spreading the gospel of mobile money from state to state”

As part of efforts on the project, members of the PocketMoni team have been making appearances on select radio stations in Kano and Ogun state, educating people and providing incentives to encourage the adoption and usage of  mobile money products.

The key message is for Nigerians to see mobile money as more than just an add-on service, but as an important component of the payments landscape in Nigeria.

The first phase of the PocketMoni 500 project will run for 6 months and reinforces eTranzact’s commitment to driving the growth of payments in Nigeria by investing in financial, educational and other resources necessary to reach the banked and unbanked.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

E-Financial

MoneyMaster PSB Customers to Enjoy 10% Data Bonus Per Recharge

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Customers of foremost payment service bank, MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank (MMPSB), will henceforth, enjoy a 10 percent data bonus offer on every recharge above N1,000 on their Glo lines.

The data bundle offers one of the highest volumes in the country and the data purchases come with 30-day validity, with an automatic rollover of unused data upon subscription for a new plan.

The offer, which is meant to reward loyal customers and new ones, also underscores the bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerians to master their money via efficient offers that make every naira count.

The 10 percent bonus offer is available for Glo customers on banking channels including the MoneyMaster PSB app, USSD banking code *995# and MoneyMaster PSB Web banking.

MoneyMaster is a provider of innovative digital financial products and services that transform lives. It has the mission to deepen financial inclusion and has been pivotal in providing financial technology services to bridge the gaps between the banked, underbanked and unbanked population.

Mr. Julius Arhebun, head of Agency Banking at MoneyMaster, said, the offer shows the bank’s commitment to offering its customers products that enhance their lifestyle and help them master their money.

“With this offer, our existing and new customers can enjoy extended access to quality internet services whether it is streaming their favourite content, browsing top sites, or catching up on trends on their favourite social media apps”, he noted.

He further explained that existing customers can buy a data bundle of N1000 or above from their mobile wallets, savings account or individual current account via our USSD banking code *995#, mobile app or web banking. For new customers, the offer comes via opening accounts via the USSD banking platform or downloading the mobile application.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Financial

UBA Set to Establish Subsidiary in Saudi Arabia

Published

on

Kindly share this post

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has set the wheels in motion to expand its operations in the Middle East with plan ongoing to open a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, its largest economy.

UBA Set to Establish Subsidiary in Saudi Arabia

This move which is expected to happen within the next year will mark the bank’s second subsidiary in the Gulf Region, following the expansion of its business to the United Arab Emirates in 2022.

Muyiwa Akinyemi, group deputy managing director, UBA, who disclosed this during a panel session during the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and in an interview with Arise TV, underscored the bank’s strategic commitment towards fostering Africa’s growth through infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and sustainable partnerships across key global markets.

He said, “Opening a presence in Saudi Arabia represents the next step for us in connecting the Africa-Gulf region. We are excited to bring UBA’s expertise in financial services to Saudi Arabia, where we aim to facilitate knowledge transfer and create strong economic linkages.

“This venture will further enable us to access Saudi expertise in food security, energy transition, and sustainable practices, which are all critical for Africa’s continued development.”

While emphasising the importance of Africa as a strategic investment destination for long-term capital, he said, “Africa’s infrastructure deficit is an opportunity for investors worldwide. Our pitch to the Gulf and Southeast Asia emphasizes that Africa must be part of their investment horizon. Today, food security is paramount as our population expands.

Akinyemi also highlighted the bank’s dedication to nurturing Africa’s youth talent through entrepreneurship.

“Guided by our Group Chairman’s efforts with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, UBA is committed to supporting young entrepreneurs in tech, agriculture, and entertainment, which are all burgeoning sectors in Africa. With such a young and dynamic population, we see enormous potential for innovation and growth.”

He also reiterated the bank’s continuous support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and beyond as he outlined the bank’s commitment to these businesses, which he referred to as key players in the African economy and vehicles for employment and economic growth.

“SMEs are the backbone of economic development in Africa. They contribute significantly to job creation and value chains, particularly within Nigeria. Over the last year, UBA has committed billions to support SMEs across Africa, and our network of over 20 countries enables us to make a substantial impact.”

During the panel discussions, Akinyemi took time to emphasize UBA’s longstanding experience on the continent as it navigates an ever-evolving investment landscape, adding that “As investors, we focus on infrastructure and sustainable projects that encourage economic prosperity while addressing pressing issues such as talent migration.

“Our goal is to ensure that people can thrive in Africa without needing to relocate. By investing in local talent and fostering growth sectors, we contribute to building the next generation of global innovators right here in Africa,” he noted.

The DMD further articulated UBA’s approach to risk management on the continent, emphasizing that the bank’s 75-year history has uniquely equipped it with insights and strategies to navigate diverse markets.

“With over seven decades of experience, Africa is what we know, and that knowledge allows us to manage risks effectively. We see tremendous opportunities in various sectors across the continent, and our continued investments are driven by a commitment to bring economic empowerment to communities, increase GDP, and improve socioeconomic quality. Our anniversary is a celebration of UBA’s legacy of contributing to Africa’s progress. We look forward to leveraging this milestone to drive even greater impact across sectors and empower future generations,” he said.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Financial

PalmPay Marks 5th Anniversary, Highlights Achievements

Published

on

Kindly share this post

PalmPay, a leading emerging markets-focused fintech, has marked the 5th anniversary of its operations in Nigeria at a celebratory event held in Lagos recently.

PalmPay Marks 5th Anniversary, Highlights Achievements

During the event, Palmpay highlighted key milestones in its journey and updates on its growth and impact in the country.

Speaking at the anniversary, Chika Nwosu, managing director, PalmPay Nigeria, said: “We’ve built a platform that 35 million users trust, and with our growing network of agents and merchants, PalmPay is playing a key role in digitising Nigeria’s economy. Looking ahead, our strategy is clear—continue to lead with secure, reliable solutions while fostering partnerships that empower more people and businesses to reach their financial goals.”

At the core of PalmPay’s approach, is making financial services more accessible in a market where traditional banking options have left many underserved.

The new *861# USSD code allows customers to access PalmPay services without the internet, offering greater accessibility for users who run out of data or are in areas with low network coverage.

The company also emphasised its commitment to security at a time when financial fraud is increasing globally.

PalmPay has implemented security measures such as facial recognition, biometric login, and AI-driven transaction monitoring to ensure secure payments. Every account is verified through NIN or BVN, and customers who lose their phones can now freeze their accounts via the newly launched USSD service.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending