The Board of Letshego Holdings Limited has affirmed the appointment of Aobakwe “Aupa” Monyatsi as Group Chief Executive with immediate effect, subject to regulatory approvals.
Aupa Monyatsi Letshego Group Cbief Executive
Prior to this appointment Monyatsi held the same role in an interim capacity from 4 May 2022, having led the inclusive finance entity’s digitalization of systems and operations for the last two years in his inaugural position as Group Chief Operating Officer (Group COO).
Aupa is a well-rounded and experienced pan-African regional banker, with demonstrated tech and digital-savvy expertise having spearheaded and developed innovation and virtual channel strategies in his previous role as Absa Group’s Managing Executive for Alternative Channels.
His career journey has provided Africa-wide experience from Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and Kenya, having led a team in incubating fintech’s that drive financial inclusion through mobile money, block chain and AI (Artificial Intelligence).
With a clear balance of financial and technical experience, Aupa is ideally placed to steer Letshego into the Group’s next chapter of embedding and monetising the Group’s recent investment into digital systems and product innovation.
Enos Banda, the Group Chairman of Letshego Holdings Ltd affirmed the appointment, adding, “Aupa is an ideal candidate to take Letshego into the next generation where we aim to bring a proficiency in retail tech, diverse pan-Africa financial sector experience as well as a passion to make a difference. His dynamic and personable leadership style, balanced by his empathy and appreciation for people, makes him an ideal candidate to lead our organisation. Aupa’s appointment evidences Letshego’s progress in building a robust succession plan for our future organisation, as we progress in our vision to be worldclass.”
During his career at ABSA Botswana, Aupa was Chief Operating Officer and Head of Distribution Channels, with his latest role being Acting Managing Director for ABSA Botswana before transferring to the bank’s Africa head office in South Africa, as Managing Executive for Alternative Channels.
Commenting on his appointment, Aobakwe “Aupa” Monyatsi, Group Chief Executive added, “I am now excited to lead, support and inspire our diverse and dynamic Pan-African teams to unlock our collective potential for the benefit of our people, as well as the benefit of our customers, stakeholders and communities where we operate.
I have been inspired by the warmth and support received since I joined Letshego, and I am honoured to lead the Group into our next chapter of evolution, securing long term shareholder return.”
In preparation for the festive season, Letshego Uganda handed over a donation of 4000 reflector jackets to the Uganda Police department of Road Safety whose mandate is to enforce traffic and ensure safety for all road users.
Letshego staff led by the CEO Giles Aijukwe (2nd from right) pose for a group photo with the Uganda Traffic Police team championed by Ag Lawrence Niwabiine after the handover of 4000 reflector jackets
Road safety is one of the most pertinent community issues with 93% of the world’s fatalities on the roads occurring in low and middle-income countries.
It is estimated that if not curbed, road traffic crashes and accidents are predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death in the world by 2030- WHO. They adversely affect health, economic and social development.
Giles Aijukwe, CEO – Letshego Uganda, says: “We have over the years established a firm and long-standing partnership with the Uganda Police Force in respective Sustainable Development (CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility) endeavours.
Specifically for Road Safety, we started our partnership in 2018 with a contribution of 3000 reflector jackets to our traffic officers as they marshal the highways. I can assure you- Letshego’s commitment in this regard is unwavering.”
Uganda Police Force entourage, led by AG Director Traffic and Road Safety Lawrence Niwabiine stated; “Achieving lasting change in improved road safety requires government, private partners, civil society and the community to work together.
I am particularly gratified with Letshego Uganda for their commitment to this cause and playing their part diligently- they’ve been our partner since 2017.”
Niwabiine added that the timing is a blessing because the festive season is when road travel numbers are at their highest and so are accident cases.
“The reflector jackets will enable our officers to be visible from afar to maintain traffic rules and guidelines. These reflectors will immediately be dispatched to Regional Traffic Officers and stations countrywide.”
As we continue to embark on transforming our service offering to our customers countrywide, we have now officially gone DIGITAL.
“We introduced the Digital Mall, an online platform (downloadable from Android, and iOS stores)- a simple, quick and reliable approach for our clients to access financial support from the comfort of their homes/offices in real-time. These strides in digitization are intended to accentuate our service offering,” Aijukwe stressed.
The purpose of this partnership is to effectively deliver the Bright Dada project objective, which is to work with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) with the end goal of livelihood opportunity development and increased access to clean technology lighting in underserved, hard-to-reach communities in rural centres of Uganda.
RAA Manager for Marketing and Sales Girish Mehta demonstrating how Phillips bulbs work
This partnership fosters a women/youth-led and clean energy distribution model to ensure sustainable and affordable lighting for the last mile consumer.
Representatives from Enlight Institute, Signify Foundation, ENVenture and RAA
Fifteen heads of CBOs from different regions in Uganda will receive free training plus a Philips lighting starter kit on 18th November 2021.
Enlight Institute with support from ENventure will provide training, mentorship and coaching in key areas of sales, marketing, customer service, branding and record keeping as well as product knowledge.
This will create a trickle-down effect and create sales jobs for the people they support hence spurring community development -and in turn, the CBOs will support the distribution of eco-friendly and affordable lighting in the areas they operate.
In addition to that, renowned Musician Lamu who also doubles as Miss Earth Uganda 2021, has been chosen as RAA’s Sanitary Pads ambassador, Stay Easy and True Clean.
Singer Lamu who is also Miss Earth Uganda helps an RAA Ltd staffer to demonstrate how Stay Easy and True Clean Sanitary pads work
Stay Easy and True Clean Pads
As a Community Projects Coordinator at Enlight Institute, she will be able to continue her work in the pro-environment and sexual reproductive health sector by delivering and distributing biodegradable pads to the less fortunate in the rural areas of Uganda.
Consignment to be exported to Coca-Cola plant in Zambia
Flag off reaffirms Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s commitment to support local businesses
Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, flagged off 50 tonnes of Lato milk to Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Zambia.
Lato Mik flag-off
As part of its commitment to foster the growth of the Ugandan economy by supporting the government’s ‘Buy Uganda Build Uganda’ policy, Coca-Cola Uganda facilitated the connection to its diverse network thereby enabling the exportation of milk.
Lato powdered milk is produced by Pearl Dairy Farm Limited. The export agreement will go a long way in motivating other Ugandan farmers to position their products for export.
Hon. Tumwebaze applauded Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for its support of local industries and continued contribution to Uganda’s economy through its variety of products, support to local farmers and direct employment of thousands of Ugandans.
He also noted that besides improving the dairy value chain, the export of this consignment is a positive testament to the ministry’s effort to promote the agro-industrialization objective of markets promotion and increased access to markets in accordance with the government’s National Development Plan (NDP III).
Milk being loaded on the truck
“I thank Zambian government inspectors who confirmed that Lato milk products are internationally certified. They worked hand in hand with the Department of Animal Health at the Ministry and I am glad Uganda has now broken into the Southern Africa Market,” he said.
At the event, Bashir Kamulegeya, the Coca-Cola Mbarara Plant Manager, represented Melkamu Abebe, the General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda.
He said when the government initiated the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda policy, Coca-Cola was fully on board because it believes in adding value to the communities in which it operates.
“We launched our Climb Up milk with the intention of refreshing Ugandans with a nutritious product but one with a unique difference – the ingredients and packaging would all be made in Uganda. We have brought samples here for you to see and taste for yourselves,” he said.
“We searched for a credible, reliable and trustworthy supplier of the key ingredient and went through a development process with Pearl Dairy Farms Limited to ascertain that they could meet the stringent quality standards of Coca-Cola globally. We are proud to note that they did! Having a Ugandan company certified as our supplier is something for all Ugandans to be proud of.
After they had supplied us consistently over time, we found more opportunities and today they are supplying our sister company in Zambia,” he added.
The company recently launched Adez Nutri-Bushera, a plant-based beverage that is also creating opportunities to build the economy of Uganda and support raw material producers in the agricultural sector.
Bhasker Kotecha, the Chairman of Pearl Dairy Farms Ltd, praised the efforts of various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Dairy Development Authority (DDA) and the ministry’s Directorate of Animal Resources for facilitating the landmark breakthrough.
Democracy to many might be an archaic word or even mythical but for Top bloggers Uganda, it is never a subject of contention because it has been practiced.
A seasoned adman Robert Sebunya is now the new president of Top Bloggers Uganda, an association uniting all Bloggers in the country.
Sebunya took the seat after a unanimous vote by Association members in their first ever General Assembly that sat last Saturday August 21st.
He takes over from Makerere University Head of Digital Communications Mathias Ssemanda who was the Association’s founding president but took a back seat after enrolling for a post graduate program at the Pennsylvania State University.
Ssemanda remains on the Association’s board but playing an advisory role as the Founder.
“I know it’s going to be a very challenging role but like all of us here, we love a good challenge whether it comes by the pen, by the kodak lenses, or the democratized creativity of our mobile devices, we all face challenges and beat them by all odds,” Sebunya said on Saturday after the election.
Together with the different committees at Top Bloggers Uganda , our work is going to be to build the capacity of content creators and the different digital practitioners in their domains of practice to a level of regional and global thought leadership.
“One of our pillars for the first few months is capacity building. We are going to raise the standards of our members through the promotion of best practices via training events, webinars, and standardized schemes for continuous professional development of excellence for members.“ He added
Sebunya will be deputized by Don Atungisa, a digital media entrepreneur and Digital Marketing practitioner working with TBWA\Uganda.
At the same General meeting, a three-member board of directors and a three-member Executive Committee were created to ensure the Association’s activities are steered ahead and to the right direction.
Emirates, the Premier Partner and Official Airline of Expo 2020 Dubai, has launched an exclusive offer for customers to experience the excitement of the World Expo, the largest-of-its-kind event in the region.
Emirates customers visiting Dubai, and travelling through Dubai, anytime during the much-awaited mega-event running from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, will be eligible to receive a free Emirates Expo Day Pass for every flight ticket booked with Emirates.
The special offer is valid on all return tickets that include a flight to or through Dubai, for travel dates between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022.
The offer is applicable to tickets purchased in First Class, Business Class and Economy Class and extends to tickets booked through Emirates for flights on flydubai and customers travelling to anywhere on Emirates’ global network with a connection time of at least six hours in Dubai.
One-way ticket holders whose journey originates outside the UAE are entitled to receive the complimentary Expo Day Pass if travelling to Dubai or onwards to other destinations if the minimum connection time is met.
Emirates expo
Whether exploring Dubai solo, as a family or reconnecting with family and friends, there has never been a better time to visit Dubai than now.
Besides being at the epicentre of the largest themed event that promises to bring the world to one destination, visitors to Dubai during the six-month period can expect to enjoy a host of activities and special offers to celebrate the UAE’s golden jubilee, marking the 50th anniversary of the country’s formation.
The good news does not end here. Travellers with upcoming travel plans and who are already in the UAE, including UAE residents, will be pleased to know that they are also eligible to receive a complimentary Expo Day Pass as long as their itinerary includes a journey back to Dubai during the six-month period that coincides with Expo.
As Premier Partner and Official Airline of Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirates will soon launch various Expo-themed packages to allow its worldwide customers to enjoy the excitement of the 182-day event and experience what its host city of Dubai has to offer.
Mile-A Minute offer
Customers will also earn 1 Skywards Mile for every 1 minute spent in Dubai between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022. Existing and new Emirates Skywards members who sign up for the programme before 31 March 2022, can avail of the offer on Emirates.com and will earn up to 5,000 Miles.
The offer is applicable on all Emirates flight tickets purchased between 1 August 2021 and 31 March 2022, for travel during Expo 2020 Dubai. Emirates‑marketed, flydubai‑operated flights with an Emirates (EK) flight number are included in the offer.
Expo Dubai 2020
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo ever hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Through the theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, Expo 2020 Dubai aims to inspire people by showcasing the best examples of collaboration, innovation and cooperation from around the world, through sustainability, mobility and opportunity.
The six-month spectacular’s bustling programme will be packed with experiences to suit all ages and interests, including a rich line-up of themed weeks, entertainment and edutainment, while art and culture vultures, foodies and technology fanatics can expect to enjoy exhibits, workshops, performances, live shows and more.
Architecture aficionados will be surrounded by inspiring designs throughout Expo 2020. Visitors can drop by their national pavilion for a taste of home, the 190 other country pavilions to experience other cultures and distinctive offerings, or various thematic and special pavilions to get a glimpse of the future and the innovations that are making a difference in tomorrow’s world.
Emirates Pavilion
Travel and aviation enthusiasts can visit the Emirates’ dedicated pavilion to experience the future of commercial aviation in UAE’s centennial year 2071.
At the centre of this must-see pavilion, visitors can expect to engage in immersive experiences that will provide a glimpse into the future of aircraft cabin design, how the flying experience is being redefined, as well upcoming lightweight materials and technologies that will improve flying performance and fuel economy for a sustainable future.
Visitors should also not miss the opportunity to design an aircraft and engage with interactive exhibits that introduce the principles of flight.
Uganda Pavilion
Uganda is among the countries participating in the exhibition located in the Opportunity Thematic District under the country theme of “Right place and right time’.
The chosen theme is in line with the strides made and achievements attained in the areas of social-economic development, infrastructure, peace and stability.
Uganda’s pavilion is decorated on the outside with artwork depicting the Crested Crane – Uganda’s national bird. Uganda will also treat viewers to a vibrant authentic African culture, dance, and performance on Sunday, October 3rd, 2021.
Dubai: Since it safely resumed tourism activity in July 2020, Dubai remains one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, especially during the winter season.
The city is open for international business and leisure visitors. From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world-class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai offers a variety of world-class experiences.
It was one of the world’s first cities to obtain the Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety.
As international borders reopen and travel restrictions ease, Emirates continues to expand its network safely and sustainably.
The airline has resumed passenger services to over 120 destinations and has recovered close to 90% of its pre-pandemic network. Emirates customers can enjoy convenient and seamless connections to the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and the Asia Pacific via Dubai.
As part of their CSR, Housing Finance Bank partnered with the Rotary club of Bukoto to provide relief aid items to 100 beneficiaries in Mulimira Zone in Kampala.
It should be noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges across the country and many communities have been greatly impacted negatively.
Being compelled by the elevated levels of need as a result of the partial and full lockdowns, especially in the urban poor communities, the bank joined hands with the Rotary Club of Bukoto who have an ongoing campaign dubbed “Hands of Love” to help those most affected in Mulimira Zone, Bukoto.
Speaking about the partnership with Rotary to provide relief items, Michael Mugabi, the Housing Finance Bank Managing Director noted that Housing Finance Bank is proud to be involved in initiatives that support social welfare and benefit the different stakeholders.
Housing Finance Bank staff
“Our social investments are directed towards enhancing the sustainability and development of the communities in which we live, work, and do business.
We take this as our ethical mandate towards society and nature and are committed to be known as a caring bank.”
“As a proud indigenous brand, with a rich history and heritage, Housing Finance Bank is committed to actively contributing to a better society and a cleaner environment. Initiatives like the partnership with Rotary to improve the lives of Mulimira Zone residents are evidence of this commitment,” he concluded.
Representing the Rotary Club of Bukoto, President Edith Mujwisa said, “We are proud to partner with Housing Finance Bank to provide relief including food items to underprivileged beneficiaries in Mulimira Zone where the club has been involved in community projects serving different categories of people.
Maintaining social distancing at the handover
These are mainly the elderly, disabled, single mothers, pregnant women and those living with HIV. This partnership will supplement other ongoing efforts and programs towards the improvement of the livelihoods of humanity.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has left hundreds of Ugandans vulnerable with no means of survival, no food and zero access to income-generating activities.
Because of this, Housing Finance Bank has continually made efforts to ease the hardships being faced across the country.
Previously, we contributed Personal Protection Equipment to the Ministry of Health to enable the frontline workers to maintain safety while treating COVID-19 patients across the country,” remarked Housing Finance Bank Chief Risk Office Marietta N Mwesigwa during the handover ceremony.
Anna Namenya happens to be a Supervisor of the Detergent and Personal Hygiene section at Carrefour Supermarket.
Little did we know that the third-year law student’s position at the supermarket has not only helped kickstart her career but also helped reshape her personal life. We caught up with her for a brief chat and below are the excerpts.
1: Briefly tell us about yourself.
I am a third-year law student at Makerere University. I am passionate about so many things including myself first, I also love leadership and administration.
I come from a family of eight; three girls and five boys. I am the first born and still stay with my parents, my mum and dad.
Working at Carrefour has enabled me to achieve many things, including facilitating my education. This is my second degree after the Business Administration one which was paid for by my parents.
Since my passion is law, I decided to pursue it as my second degree and my Carrefour salary supports my tuition fees.
2: Share with us your experience working at Carrefour Uganda.
I would say it has been an amazing one. I got to know about Carrefour from a friend who had seen a job advert from the Ministry of Gender.
I was informed that we were supposed to deliver our resumes to the ministry and then wait for the next steps. I was later called in for the first interview where I saw many applicants just like me. Initially I applied as a stocker, went to the interview, gave it my best shot and then luckily I got the job.
However, later I was called and informed that the panel from the interview felt I could do better in another position. I was then called in for a second interview for the position of supervisor.
I excelled in that interview as well and was rewarded with the role. It was an amazing moment and I’ve continued to learn and grow since then.
Examples like mine point to the reasons why Carrefour is an employer of choice internationally — it’s a brand that invests in careers as much as the growth of the industry.
3: It has been over a year since Carrefour opened its doors to the Ugandan public, what has stood out for you?
Throughout my career, I have always heard employers saying, “employees are the cornerstone of every business” but had never seen it really being practiced.
At Carrefour, I have noticed that human capital is the basis of the brand’s progress and we are always put first. To me, that is amazing because if I’m not ok for instance, then I will not perform.
I love the fact that this has really stood out prominently at Carrefour; the fact that they prioritise my wellbeing.
4: The past year has been a very challenging one especially for the retail sector. What experience has the Carrefour response to the pandemic taught you?
Anne Namenya at work
When COVID-19 had just been confirmed in Uganda, Carrefour was there to support us. Me and my colleagues saw how a massive brand could mobilise quickly to keep everyone safe and inspire colleagues to play their part in protecting themselves and the community.
Carrefour put together a market-wide process for sanitisation and social distancing that each of us had a role in upholding.
Signage was seen everywhere, and many discussions were held to keep us informed during times of such uncertainty. They also taught us how to protect ourselves from the pandemic through awareness training that was mandatory for all colleagues.
This showed us all that they actually cared about us and that besides business, our lives also mattered. To me that was really outstanding.
5: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
As a law student, I believe that in the next five years I will have completed my diploma. I also have to remember that it is difficult to know where we will all be, but I am hopeful.
I had hoped that 2020 would have seen me get to a certain level but the whole year was disrupted by COVID-19. Having said that, I believe in the next five years, I will have started my own practice or joined one.
I also hope that by then, my foundation will be well established and will have seen more people come on board to appreciate its goal.
6: As a supervisor at Carrefour, how much has the brand influenced your personal life?
As a supervisor there is more than meets the eye. There are different people that you are leading, and I am glad that I have this challenge.
I am a quick learner and initially wanted everyone to be as quick as me. As a result, I found myself having challenges with colleagues.
However, Carrefour introduced a training programme where we were taught how to accommodate and live with different people.
To me this training was so helpful because I have applied the knowledge received to my personal life. I have learnt to live with different people and appreciate that people have different ways in which they handle situations.
I am so grateful that Carrefour has not only helped me pay for my tuition, but it has also helped me live a decent life.
For instance, during the lockdown, Carrefour continued to pay my full salary. This helped me and my entire family continue to lead life as if everything was normal.
With its latest campaign, ‘Banking at the Speed of U’, dfcu Bank hopes to fulfil two key objectives; the first is to turn the bank into a 4.0 Bank; banking services delivered in real time with the help of technology.
The second objective will focus on enhancing customer experience through adaptation of digital services. This calls for a change in customer behaviour which the Bank believes it can achieve one changed mindset at a time.
Among other enhancements, dfcu has revamped its online banking services. dfcu QuickBanking is an Omni-Channel platform which provides multiple ways for customers to transact, including; USSD for feature phone users, Online and App for Smartphone and computer users.
dfcu Quick banking App & Trust factor
Introduced in 2018, the QuickBanking platform is just one of the Bank’s collection of digital solutions. Initially, dfcu QuickOnline and dfcu QuickConnect offered both a similar user experience and functionalities.
The evolution of customer needs has called for upgrades and customizations that cater to clients in the Personal, Business and Corporate Banking segments.
Consequently, customers have been empowered with 24/7 access to their accounts and the ability to transact at their convenience.
One of the improvements made to dfcu Quick Banking is the introduction of the Trust Factor an App that authenticates transactions in real-time. It replaces the one-time password (OTP) and also addresses a number of snags identified by the Bank including delayed and Failed delivery of OTPs.
Additionally, TrustFactor provides dfcu’s clients with security against Sim Swaps and Phishing attempts which might target their accounts and money.
Customers using the Bank’s QuickOnline, QuickConnect and QuickApp channels will have to make use of the new App to ably authenticate and complete transactions.
To succeed as business in a world that’s changing, organizations must provide efficiency, speed, safety and reliability to their markets and customers. The utilization of new technological advancements to simplify life is one way to do this.
Even with digitalization, people still support the process so there is a lot of relationship management. Businesses are moving away from having many front office staff to more relationship management staff to support businesses in this digital era.
One of the concerns as the world goes more digital – certainly true for financial services, is the issue of security. How are you giving customers the confidence needed to get them to move along with you on this digital journey?
The safety and security of digital technologies in the financial services sector is indeed a major concern for customers and Banks alike.
The lack of cybersecurity can create a lack of confidence in the systems that offer substantial benefits. With this in mind, we have made several enhancements to increase the security around our different products and solutions cards.
If you think about Online shopping which is on the rise, our customers are only able to execute online transactions successfully through an SMS OTP or email which is sent to the customer to approve/acknowledge the transaction.
As we drive greater card usage, the Bank has now moved to the Visa contactless card. Transactions that are below UGX100,000 at the cross terminal or ATM, have a contactless option.
You just need to tap your card then the transaction is authenticated. This has been done, not only to improve security but also bearing in mind the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The contactless cards allow you to avoid contact with the machines.
As far as Quick banking is concerned, previously we had the one-time password (OTP) to authenticate these transactions but there were some challenges around it which we deliberately resolved to solve.
We are now migrating to authentication of transactions through an App called Trust factor.
We are currently on a journey of migrating all our internet and quick banking users onto trust factors. All transactions will be authorized through the App in real-time.
With the growing cyberthreat, we are deliberate about enhancing systems security. To this end, we also hired an international firm that periodically checks our systems in terms of cybersecurity resistance.
These are some of the deliberate steps the bank has taken to close the digital gap amongst our customers.
Break down the varied service under the bank’s digital offering?
Agent Banking is one of our digital flagships, it has the highest number of touchpoints, over 1,700 agents in the market that our customers can access that is against a branch network of 58 and under 100 ATMs.
Then we also have internet and mobile banking; over 60% of our active customers base is onboarded onto the internet and mobile banking.
All the services you can do on internet banking are available on mobile banking in the omnichannel setting. Some of the services you can do; buy airtime, data, domestic transfers, international transfers, bank to wallet and vice versa.
We are also rolling out a Mobi-loan on our internet and mobile for loans below 2million just a click away without having to come to the bank. Customer can also print their statements from the internet platform, view balances and Standing Orders.
Customers can now do withdrawals, deposits with or without their cards, later in the year, we shall introduce voucher redemption -card-less withdraws over the ATMS and agent banking.
Currently, we have two different cards in the market, the debit card and the Credit card. The key differentiator is, for the Visa debit card, you transact off the balances that you have on your account while a credit card the bank approves a credit limit to you (issues an overdraft).
What’s the bank’s strategy to support financial inclusivity especially in the hard to reach areas?
As a bank, we have over 1700 agents in the market these scattered countrywide. In some hard to reach areas, we have agents who are supporting the financial inclusion strategy.
dfcu is also included in the shared bank platform, we can serve another customer from another bank on the platform and vice versa is true.
Our mobile bank offering can be accessed on USSD and App. Through technology, we can reach more customers.
The bank also runs financial literacy sessions every Friday online with various subject experts. To guide the public on they can take advantage of the available opportunities.
The bank has also advanced credit through some of the strategic partnerships for onward lending for people excluded in some markets. Some are government agencies, donor agencies with facilities to lend people in particular areas.
How is digital transformation fundamentally changing business (Banking) today?
The rapid adoption of digital operating models including Artificial Intelligence, Chat Bots, Robotics, support making more predictive than reactive decision making and undercut the cost of operation especially in terms of staffing.
These digital operating models are starting to come into play for uniformity and enhanced customer experiences.
As an adage goes, ‘Data is the new oil’. Those that have invested in big data governance and analytics leapfrog their competitors. How you use this data dictates how you grow as a company.
Continued merger and acquisition activity in the IT outsourcing industry. Banks also merging or taking over Fintechs; product development & roll out.
Expanding cloud adoption, gone are the days when we used to buy a floppy disk, external drive then hard disks for storage. With time, the need for more storage space is has increased thus cloud-based storage adaptation.
mushroominc 