Mobile money financial services in the country received boost with the launch of Glo Xchange, a mobile money agent network that is aimed at accelerating the mobile money revolution in the country.
Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that the launch of the partnership in Lagos yesterday that the apex bank is determined to use telecommunications to deepen financial services in the country in order to reduce the 46 percent of the population that does not have access to financial services.
He noted that a functioning payment system will bring about economic growth. He added that: “it is my expectation that existing telecommunications operators form a synergy with mobile money operators to build Agent network, it is in view of this expectation that I’m delighted in the launch of Glo Xchange”.
He describes the initiative as first mobile money super-Agent network in Nigeria.
Kamaldeen Shonibare, head of corporate Sales, Globacom, said that Glo Xchange was painstakingly developed in partnership with licensed mobile money operators, Firstmonie, Ecobank, Stanbic IBTC and Zenith bank.
“With this initiative, Globacom has provided the requisite platform for our partner banks to deploy mobile money services. Glo Xchange will enable the banks’ current and potential customers to carry out transactions under the three areas of banking transactions- deposits, withdrawals and transfers. Our partners will leverage on our company’s Gloworld shops, Glo Zones and Dealers’ outlets as well as their extensive retail financial market experience and customer base to push the service nation-wide. Under this arrangement, Globacom will be required to provide agent recruitment, training and management service to Glo Xchange,” he said.
He explained further that Glo agents will serve all the banks’ mobile money customers and Glo Mobile subscribers whether they have bank accounts or not.
“The banks, on their part, will provide their mobile money platform to mobile subscribers in the compliance with CBN policy on mobile payments. It will also provide specialized trading platform and merchandising materials to the recruited agents while managing customer accounts and support services,” he stated.
Minister Commends Etisalat for Promoting Entrepreneurship Drive
Dr. Oluseguin Aganga, minister of Trade and Investment, has commended Etisalat Nigeria, Pan Atlantic University and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) for consistently promoting initiatives aimed at the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in the country. This commendation was made in a keynote address delivered at the Abuja leg of the Etisalat sponsored Market Access recently held at Ibeto Hotel.
He noted that the one-day business networking and knowledge sharing session will afford small and growing businesses the opportunity to key into the value chain of large enterprises and help drive entrepreneurship spirit in Nigeria.
According to him, Small and Medium Size Enterprises remain the backbone of the development for most economies around the world adding that the sector is currently has abundant growth opportunities.
“I must commend the partnership of Etisalat Nigeria, Pan African University and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) for being consistent with the initiative. SMEs are the most economic sector in the country and it is my day to day goal to bring massive growth to this sector of the country. I am always inspired to attend events like this where stakeholders in the SME sector converge.” He said.
Addressing participants at the seminar, Bidemi Ladipo, head, Business Segment Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, expressed delight at the turnout of participants at the session, noting that the attendance and testimonies of the impact of the seminar is encouraging.
“At Etisalat, we are passionate about the growth of growing businesses and entrepreneurs. We remain committed to providing them with every necessary support they need to thrive in their various industries. We recently awarded N2 million each to 10 entrepreneurs in our Easybusiness Millionaires Hunt scheme and I am delighted that some of them are present here in Abuja to share their experiences and how far they have gone in their businesses.” He stated.
The Market Access platform, now in its third year, is a quarterly networking event that has recorded tremendous success in the SME segment.
The initiative has held in different cities across the country in a bid to empower small and medium scales enterprises across the country. Before the Abuja leg, the event has held in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Calabar and Uyo. It has recorded a combined total audience of over 2,000 people.