Business
Airtel Launches Smartcash Online Banking in Nigeria
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
Sponsored by: H&H
A telecommunication firm, Airtel Africa, on Thursday, launched SmartCash Payment Service Bank in Abuja, as a follow up to its expansion.
Airtel, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services with a presence in 14 countries across Africa, launched the SmartCash Payment Service Bank in Abuja at Wuse Market to provide secure and reliable financial services across Nigeria.
L-R: Regional Operations Director, North-West, Airtel Nigeria, ThankGod Otorkpa; Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Smartcash PSB, Muyiwa Ebitanmi and Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Godfrey Efeurhobo during the Smartcash PSB Brand unveil in Abuja, on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
The new service was designed to accept deposits from individuals and small businesses, carrying out payment and remittance services within Nigeria, and issuing debit and prepaid cards among other banking services.
Speaking at the Abuja launch, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SmartCash Payment Service Bank, Muyiwa Ebitanmi, said: “Through SmartCash Payment Services Bank, we aim to bridge the financial divide by providing rural and urban Nigerians access to innovative, highly secured and reliable banking services that is powered by technology and is relevant to their needs”.
Also speaking, the Smartcash Regional Distribution Manager, Ms. Onyinye Anosike, said the company, which has its headquarters in Lagos, enables person-to-person payment and transfers from across the world.
She said: “The service is currently available at selected retail touch-points. Plans are underway to expand the innovative, technology-driven services to all parts of the country, including the furthest and most remote, in an effort to accelerate financial inclusion for all Nigerians.
Recall that launch followed the granting of a license by the Central Bank of Nigeria, and it is targeted at reaching the 36.8 per cent unbanked adult population in Nigeria, as estimated by the Access to Financial Services in Nigeria report.
A statement from the company, however, quoted the Airtel Africa’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Ogunsanya as saying: “The launch of SmartCash Payment Service Bank gives us fresh impetus at Airtel Africa, to continue growing our footprint in the continent and delivering innovative solutions.
“In the bank, we have the best of both worlds – a hybrid of commercial bank and mobile financial services – offering last mile connection to the financially excluded. Through it, we want to contribute towards driving financial inclusion in Nigeria, to empower Nigerians while transforming the payment landscape in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.’’
However, many residents of Abuja, who registered with SmartCash Payment Service Bank at the Wuse Market won phones through the raffle draws.
