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EBS Discussants Highlight Why Banks Should Court Fintech

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Financial technology [FinTech] experts have expressed concern that the banks and fintech would need to work together to grow the banking sector.

Their stand is contained in a communiqué at the end of first quarter edition, Ennovators Breakfast Series [EBS] with the theme, “Is Fintech and Banks Best Frenemies”.

Their views are hinged on the fact that fintech has gradually inched its way into the growth strategies of traditional banks.

They said that the collaboration has become obvious globally especially in Europe and the US where the surge in fintech and its capability has helped the banks to innovate and develop products to suit customers’ lifestyles.

“In Nigeria, the same thread is apparent. Most Nigerian banks are riding high on the wave of fintech products such as USSD, banking apps, etc. Because of this, research has shown that global investment in fintech has reached as high as $80 billion between 2010 and 2016. As such, traditional banks are paying closer attention to how to regain customers’ trust using fintech”, said Yele Okeremi, MD/CEO of Precise Financial Systems.

 Besides, the banks have realised that embracing fintech approach would assist improve their customer uptake.

To demonstrate the seriousness of the banks, one of the banks in Nigeria has branded itself “Fintech” bank. Will this attract customers’ attention? Will it help to drive market share? Will fintech disrupt the banking sector? Or to put it clearly, should banks engage fintechs for competitive advantage? Should banks build, partners or acquire fintech? Are fintech and banks best friends or foes?, asked the speakers.

Other speakers are Adedeji Olowe, Executive Director, Systemspecs Limited and Victor Okigbo, Adviser/Consultant on Financial Technology, Access Bank, while Emmanuel Agha – MD/CEO, Innovectives, moderated the session.

Key observations made by the speakers, that the line between being a friend and enemy is not defined among the banks and fintech; banking operation is a fallout of the infallibility of technology; fintech firms are creating what the customers want in the non-banking areas and taking it to the banks and Fintech firms can disrupt the banking landscape

They also highlighted that technology has led the way in respect to how the banks operate. That is what brought computerized banking and online fund transfer; noting that the gap between the banks and the customers is so huge. Fintech will fill that gap. Even non-banking companies are also coming into that space.

The panelists also admitted that soon, some basic things that are important to customers would be sacrosanct just like the air-conditioner in a banking hall; the USSD platform kicked off in 2014. In 2017, all the banks are offering USSD as a service. That is because customers are migrating to banks with the USSD platform; Fintech cannot survive the onslaught of the established financial institutions and the regulation. The customers will win from the onslaught.

Sola Fanawopo, event director, EBS said that the session resolved that new technologies are impacting the way the banks view and reach out to customers.

“What has made this happen is fintech. Therefore, the only way to deepen the customer relationship is for banks to collaborate with fintech.

“They also arrived at the conclusion that there is a future of collaboration between banks and fintech. There is a need to cooperate massively with fintech on a level the banks have not done before. That is what the banks want. This is what the customers want.

“The banks are looking for ways to collaborate with fintech. Banks want to hold open discussion with startups and meet them at the point of their needs.

The banks need to court the fintechs. If there is no clear collaboration between the banks and fintech firms, the banks will cease to exist, as we know it”.

The sessions also stressed that collaboration between the banks and fintech is a necessity.

 

 


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Detained Binance executive drags EFCC, NSA to court

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Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has has dragged the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to court alleging violations of his fundamental rights.

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In a filing dated March 18 and presented by his lawyer Olujoke Aliyu from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, Gambaryan sought redress before Justice Inyang Ekwo, requesting five reliefs. Similarly, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager who escaped custody on March 22, initiated a separate suit before Justice Ekwo.

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, alleged that his detention and the confiscation of his international travel passport violated Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, constituting a breach of his fundamental right to personal liberty. He further requested the court to order his immediate release and the return of his passport. Additionally, he sought an injunction preventing further detention related to any Binance investigations and demanded a public apology from the respondents, along with costs incurred.

Gambaryan stated that he visited Nigeria on February 26 alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, representing Binance, in response to invitations from ONSA and EFCC. Despite attending the meeting as requested, both were detained afterward without formal charges.

During the court proceedings, T.J. Krukrubo, SAN, representing Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, informed the court of the respondents’ absence despite being served. Krukrubo also mentioned their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla, filed on March 26.

Justice Ekwo noted the withdrawal of legal representation and adjourned the matter to April 8 to allow the applicants to seek new representation and give the respondents an opportunity to appear.

In Gambaryan’s case, Krukrubo stated that although the processes were served on ONSA and EFCC, they still had time to respond. He requested an adjournment, indicating that the respondents’ deadline to file their applications would expire the following week.

Consequently, Justice Ekwo scheduled the next hearing for April 8 to continue proceedings.


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AXA Mansard Empowers Female SMEs with Financial, Digital Skills

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AXA Mansard, a member of AXA has empowered 200 female Small and Medium Enterprises with financial literacy and digital business skills.

In collaboration with SME 100 Africa, the two-day training, which was held in Lagos, is part of AXA’s lined-up programmes to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

Speaking, Olusesan Ogunyooye, Head of Marketing AXA Mansard, said the training was aimed to empower female SME owners with skills to improve business output and position them for the increasing economic opportunities available in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Ogunyooye noted that the move was in line with AXA Mansard’s sustainability agenda, explaining that the company was convinced that support for women through its inclusive protection programmes was pivotal to its purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters and its mission of moving from being a payer to a partner.

He further said that focusing on digital skills was important because the company realised the importance of digital skills to the growth of the SME sector in Nigeria and wants to ensure that women were empowered enough to be a consequential part of that growth.

“It’s almost trite to say that SMEs are the engine for economic growth, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where over 45 million adults are business owners. What needs to be continually discussed is how Nigeria is going to unlock that potential for economic development and how much of that potential will be unlocked by women and for women.”

“For us at AXA Mansard, we are aware that digital will play a major role in unlocking these current opportunities and Nigeria’s economic future. So, to ensure that women are equally represented in unlocking these future potentials, that’s why we have collaborated with SME 100 Africa to support them in developing the required skills”.

“Our choice of digital and financial literacy skills is deliberate. We understand the power of the duo. We understand that helping these SMEs with the skills to attract more customers will be a faster means to empower them.

“We see that they have amazing products and services, but they need to understand how to attract value for themselves by attracting the right customers, and you will agree with me that virtually all customer segments are online in one way or another today.

“So, if we can empower them with digital business skills, we would have helped them with the heavy lifting of trying to find and attract customers”. Ogunyooye explained.

According to him, AXA Mansard believes that for the world to experience progress truly, there must be an equitable distribution of creation and access to opportunities for men and women. This quest for balance informed the SHE for Shield initiative, a women-centred inclusive protection programme of AXA Mansard.

SHE for Shield is a group of initiatives designed for the Nigerian woman. The goal is to see them grow, add value, and help them mitigate risks at every step.

According to the company, research has found that access to health care is one of the most important things to Nigerian women, regardless of their economic segment. They desire to be financially independent, secure, and respected in the community.

 


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IFC Invests in New 4DX Ventures Fund to Support Tech Startups in Africa

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IFC is investing $10.5 million in a new fund by 4DX Ventures, a New York-based venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage African technology companies across a broad set of sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, edtech, climate tech, and health tech.

IFC’s investment in 4DX Ventures Fund III will come from IFC’s $225 million venture capital platform, which was launched last year to strengthen emerging VC ecosystems and invest in early-stage companies in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Pakistan.

Africa is among the regions least served by venture capital, receiving just 2% of global venture deal volume in the third quarter of 2023. Access to capital on the continent has been further exacerbated by a slowdown in global venture capital investment.

Tech ecosystems are nascent, or even nonexistent, outside of more established markets such as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

“IFC and 4DX Ventures share the commitment to supporting tech entrepreneurs with innovations that will help Africa leapfrog in critical areas such as climate, health care, fintech, e-commerce, and education,” said Walter Baddoo, Co-Founder and General Partner of 4DX Ventures.

“We look forward to partnering with IFC to help promising tech startups build transformative businesses and realize sustainable development impact on the continent.”

4DX’s new fund will invest in companies with tech solutions that can improve productivity, efficiency and competitiveness across Africa. The firm’s first two funds invested in companies such as Egypt-based e-commerce platform MaxAB, an IFC portfolio company; Ghana-based health tech firm mPharma; and Kenya-based B2B e-commerce platform Wasoko, formerly known as Sokowatch.

“By supporting the development of tech ecosystems in emerging markets, IFC’s venture capital platform aims to improve access to key services, boost business competitiveness, and promote job creation through digital transformation,” said Mohamed Gouled, Vice President of Industries at IFC.

“Our investment in venture funds such as 4DX Ventures will help African entrepreneurs access more financing and resources they need to scale tech innovations and bolster sustainable growth across the continent.

In addition to providing capital, IFC will work with 4DX Ventures to implement their environmental and social management system.


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