Emeka Madubuike, is the managing director of Systemtech Group, a comprehensive Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Company licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Madubuike with over 25 years of computing experience studied Computer Science at the University of Nigeria Nsukka before moving on to Temples University in Philadelphia for advanced studies.  A rounded ICT professional, Madubuike is a member of various professional associations. He spoke on the company’s mobile payment services and other industry issues in this interview with funmi ilesanmi.

Patronage of indigenous Software
Our people feel that applications designed and developed in Nigeria are inferior and so often they prefer when you say it is from India, USA or the UK. That is the challenge we are facing. However, that has not deterred us from saying this is our software. We compete very well both on the local and international platforms. Telcos we do applications for know that it is the same application that is developed in the US that we also do. Applications like interactive voice response (IVR), CVR connection systems, SMS platforms, billing systems that we design and develop here can compete with anyone anywhere else in the world. However, often we do not sell as much as the ones produced abroad because there is a general apathy for applications designed and produced in Nigeria. We are not operating in a different environment, it is exactly the same thing. We are faced by with the same challenges. Again, because we emphasize on service, we tend to use that edge to serve. The competition is there, people who deal on applications that are designed abroad try to use that as an edge but we do not mind. We are stuck with what we have, we insist on good quality, we ask customers to give it a try and when they do that, they have reasons to come back to us. Our competitive edge is quality of service both thereafter, that is what has sustained us. 
Grey Market
We try to drum it to the ears of our customers that what is key is buying from a channel. We are channel people, we are a gold partner and not just a gold partner, we are thirdly the best IT solution partner in terms of IT partnership in Nigeria on PSG. We have won several awards, so people know that when they buy from us, they are buying original products. Even our shop in Ikeja is a HP shop, which is why we want people to patronize the shop.
Systemtech Mobile Money
This unit company is involved in providing mobile application and ubiquitous computing solution. The flagship of this unit company is mobile money, a mobile payment money transfer solution for banks and financial institutions. Where we are now is the licensing stage. Once companies have the license, we will play with them to set up mobile payment platforms. It requires the ability of at least four companies in four different aspects- the application platform which is what we have; the switching platform, which is what will be used to move money from one bank to the other. It also includes the network operating environment, which include all network operators and then the banking license. It is a combination of several aspects. We have positioned ourselves in such a way that we can play with anyone who has a banking license. Our systems have been tested with switches that are available in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. We as technology providers can run on both CDMA and GSM platforms. The banks are connected to switches so we are going to collaborate with them but there are people abroad who also want us to use their switching platforms. There is the national switch system we have now and two other companies involved in the switch. The truth is that the CBN and Nigerian regulations might want to localize this since money is involved.
Benefits of Mobile Payments
It is enormous, you know ICT is what is used in technical jobs. With reference to mobile payment, it is going to make things a lot easier. You do not need to go anywhere to do your business, you do not need to be computer savvy to do your business, you do not have to go to your bank to credit your ATM or credit cards. What it means is that when you have an account in a bank, you can send emails or use your phone to move money to another bank even at the comfort of your home. The time it will take you to travel from one location to the other is saved so you can make good use of your time. Everybody uses phones, sends SMS and  besides you know it is not just SMS but the numeric aspect where you press1,2,3 followed by the options. At the end of the day, this is going to make life a lot easier and charges for service will drop drastically. We are not going to move money around anymore because it costs money to print cheque leaves and all that. You can simply send an SMS or use the USSD function on your phone. For me, it will in no small measure reduce the time we waste in checking up mails, the time and resources we waste in the bank and even infrastructure. Also, there will be limited error because once we set up the technology, it does what it is supposed to do. There will also be limited human interference. People living in remote locations will be able to transact business because mobile payment has manifold visibility status than the banking system right now. Apart from that, people are able to publicize their products on the platforms as it is done in banking. Mobile payment systems will improve the socio-economy of Nigeria and this is a case in point and we expect that it will even be better than this because other countries started it much earlier, so this is going to improve a whole lot in the economy. It will give money to people who do not have money, it will provide a platform for you to transfer money to people who do not have means of getting money before.

Elimination of Human Intervention and Unemployment
What it does is to remove you from unnecessary jobs that you do overtime, you now have time to come up with some other things you can do. The truth is that the human mind is never idle. This system will make it possible for banks to mobilize savings from wherever they are and from wherever you are. For the network operator- the switching system, people make use of their infrastructure, they are paid some commission for doing that, so they also make money and that generates employment. That may limit the number of people you employ or even get them to do some other research to improve their ability. Once your resources improve as a result of increase in the volume of your business, you are bound to expand and get more people to work for you. It is also a golden opportunity for the under-banked to be banked.
Perception of Acceptability of Mobile Payment
I can say 100 percent. Of course it is normal for people to show apathy to new technology or new inventions. We are talking about the use of phones, Nigerians are people who use their phones effectively and this particular platform is going to ride on the phone. It is interesting to know that we use phones more than so many other ethnic groups in life so people are already conversant with the platform that this particular application will be riding on. If you are going to use plane or computer or some other funny technology that people are not very familiar with, yes it may be difficult but if it is on the phones they use everyday, it is easier. People are advanced with its use but that is not to say there will be no challenge. There would be some challenges, you will need to use some codes on the USSD platform which needs to be learnt. That is one of the challenges but in terms of accessibility of the service, it is 100 percent but of course, I know Nigerians would encounter some challenges when we start using it, maybe in the first two weeks or months.
Phone Compatibility
All phones, even the lowest phone uses USSD, there is no phone in Nigeria that does not use *this this this* that. The only thing is that the graphic interface might not be available on that phone. This application may come on different platforms depending on the capacity or capability of your phone. A USSD function is needed and that is why when people recharge their phones, it does not go to somebody else because using that sign drives it to one platform and that platform cannot be broken into easily. No matter what phone you use, it is possible for you to do mobile payment.
Systemtech
Systemtech is an information and technology company offering consultancy services, specialist training programs, sales and maintenance of various computer hardware and peripherals. We carry out software development for various applications, website design and hosting and syndicated client operational support services on all platforms. The Group Company does have other subsidiaries, specifically four companies- Systemtech Services Limited, Systemtech Engineering Services Limited, Systemtech Software Limited. We also have the fourth one which is Systemtech Mobile Limited. Basically, our job is to provide complete information and communication technology. Systemtech Group has strategic alliances and technical partnership with the best of breed in the IT industry all around the globe which includes Adobe APC, APC, Cisco Networks, Dell Corporation, EPSON, Hewlett Packard (HP), Oracle, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Symantec/VERITAS.
Value Proposition
It is actually service. We emphasize a whole lot on our capacity to deliver service in time. In terms of software, we take our time to design our systems ourselves. In terms of support, we respond to customers within a maximum period of three hours from calls.

Corporate Social Responsibility
We are doing a lot. Apart from the training we offer interns who come here for a year or less internship, we are working with Google to increase IT awareness in Nigeria. We are also working with all higher institutions, we run a whole lot of IT support applications, we give computers and people pay over time. Now we are involved in direct implementation in universities; we give computers to them, set it up for them and train them on how to use it.
Plans for Systemtech
My plan for Systemtech is to go to the stock market and for it to become a huge success. What I want is for Nigerians to own this company in the next four to five years, for them to participate and contribute to what is Nigerian because we have the best brains in Nigeria. I want people to design applications and compete anywhere and with anyone in the world. I will be happy wherever I am, knowing that Nigerians are able to better application developers using this platform.