Ifeanyi Anazia

I am not a fan of email marketing. I consider it an intrusion of my privacy. Normally I give such emails the rude treatment by sending them to the trash can. Confession, my email address is public knowledge by the virtue of my work.

So, I do receive loads of the unsolicited ones from known and unknown firms from those that sell cars on credit to providers of home-service laundry, shirt, fruit crush – you name it.

Others that market me via email are in the surreal business. I do not want to dig into that here. It holds no value to me whatsoever. Therefore, when such emails come, I press the delete button as soon as I can. If you have got similar emails in the past, you can relate to my experience.

However, one particular email gave me immediate value. So, I did not delete it. Let me open up so that you can get clarity. I run a startup called Word Up. We are relatively unknown. But we know ourselves.

We know our strengths. My team of eight and I believe we can change Medicare in Nigeria through innovation. However, the last time I was with my personal doctor, he asked me to slow down. I asked him why.

He said my blood pressure was high. Yes, it usually rises above normal at month-end. Instinctively, my brain knows I need to pay staff salary. And it will send signals to my heart which would, in turn, begin to race.

Seeking solutions, the accountant and I have met with our bankers. When one of the bankers showed up in our SoHo last week to finalize the agreement, I was glad. But my gladness soon turned into sadness when the bank rate outstripped my blood pressure number.

Yes, we are still struggling to pay salaries. But I am not the only one. Every startup in Nigeria is grappling with a lack of funding. But accepting credit at 24 per cent rate is not my idea of doing business. That is why I didn’t hit the delete button when the email from Remita showed up.

The mail said:  It’s past half of the year 2019 already; typically the time anxiety builds. It’s the time many recheck their resolutions and goals for the year and begin to panic. (I do) Another underwhelming year? (I think so) That course not yet taken? That destination trip not yet ticked?

That trendy device not acquired yet? (Yes, I have many projects needing my attention but the lack of fund has not led me to make my goal my priority). Whatever… Not for you! It’s not too late to accomplish those goals. Do not let the lack of money stand in the way! Take a quick loan from our top lenders. The letters in brackets are mine.

However, Remita listed 16 of the top lenders. Funny enough, my bankers are on the lenders’ list! So, why are they not lending to me? The top lenders Remita advertised include Carbon, Pettycash, Coolbucks, Ibile MFB, Arvo Finance, Credit Wallet, and PettyCash Nigeria. PayDayhub online Nigeria, Free Cash Solution, CIT MFB, Devonsley Limited, Happy Partners and Bridge Credit are other lenders.

“Don’t worry about repayment. Our automated recovery process ensures that it is always easy. What’s required of you? Ensure your salary is processed through Remita, provide your consent and we would take care of the rest!” That is the content of the email marketing.

Hmm, the content calmed my nerves. I forwarded the email to my accountant. She said, “Let’s do it”. We did. Instead of processing our payroll through the bank, as usual, we processed through the Remita platform. Besides, Remita does not only process our salaries; it handles my employees’ remittances like tax and pension. That is why I am happy. To crown it all, we all can borrow from quite a wide array of lenders, as a result.

My blood pressure number is back to normal. If you are running an SME like me or even bigger business, this is the way to go. I am told my staff and I are among the millions of salary earners whose monthly income is processed through Remita every month.

With this experience, I think I am not only now becoming a fan of email marketing but also that of Remita, the innovative technology transforming lending—for good—in Nigeria.