Business

Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) Is A Critical Enabler For Intra-Africa Trade – Ecobank MD

Published

3 years ago

January 19, 2022

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has described the recently launched Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as a critical enabler for intra Africa trade. Akinwuntan who spoke on Arise TV on the launch of the payment settlement system regulatory framework, emphasized that the new payment method will serve as a backbone through which all the countries in Africa are able to actualize transactions done within the free trade area, adding that it will also create employment, wealth, and deliver values to exporters on the continent.

“This common payment platform will enable Africa to move intra trade from the current 16%, representing $70 billion to the range of 50-55% in the next two to three years. This is huge because we could be talking about $300 billion dollars intra African trade close to 15% of Africa GDP. Besides, PAPSS will also eliminate payment delays, third party currencies as well as benefit households, small businesses, and financial institutions. This is positive developments for intra Africa trade. It is a step in the right direction. It will promote cross border trade for African exporters, liberalize payments and will deliver payment that delivers value. Africa is here for real business. Africa is ready. Let’s go for it,” he said.

Further, Mr. Akinwuntan disclosed that “Ecobank is a supporter of this initiative. Today, we can reach up to 35 countries because we already have a Pan African switch, and we are already connected to PAPSS. I call for collaboration of all stakeholders to achieve the desired objectives; we have the key industry sectors that deals on Pan African trade. We need to go through with them, helping them to see the practical possibilities. We have a responsibility to take this message to them that if they want to do any transaction across Africa, they don’t need to look for an international bank. PAPSS will work the same way NIBSS works in Nigeria.”

PAPSS, developed by Afreximbank, is expected to boost intra-African trade by transforming and facilitating payment, clearing and settlement for cross-border trade across Africa. At the launch, Prof. Benedict Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said “we are eager to build upon AfCFTA’s creation of a single market throughout Africa. PAPSS provides the state-of-the-art financial market infrastructure connecting African markets to each other, thereby, enabling instant cross-border payments in respective local African currencies for cross-border trade.

“Afreximbank as the main settlement agent for PAPSS, provides settlement guarantees on the payment system and overdraft facilities to all settlement agents, in partnership with Africa’s participating Central Banks. “PAPSS will effectively eliminate Africa’s financial borders, formalise and integrate Africa’s payment systems, and play a major role in facilitating and accelerating the huge AfCFTA-induced growth curve in intra-African trade.” He stated.

Also speaking at the event, PAPSS’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mike Ogbalu, emphasised that the payment system was not designed to compete with or replace existing payment systems. He said it would facilitate the connectivity level that brings all payments systems together into one network that was interoperable, efficient and affordable. “PAPSS is designed to make our currencies regain value to domesticate intra-Africa payments in this journey toward African prosperity. This is done while providing the superhighway which connects others to reach every part of this continent as we seek to create the Africa that we want.”

The PAPSS pilot in WAMZ central banks has been completed and all six central banks have tested and gone through the trial operations. In the last week of August 2021, all the central banks became live on the system and have since been sending through live transactions across the WAMZ region. PAPSS has been successfully piloted in the six countries of the West African Monetary Zone, and promisesto deliver multiple advantages and efficiencies to intra-African trade payments.

As a major supporter of this initiative, Ecobank is already connected to PAPSS.

Business

Zenith Bank Says It Now Has best IT infrastructure After Successful Upgrade, Commends Customers

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2024

august24admin

Zenith Bank Says It Now Has best IT infrastructure After Successful Upgrade, Commends Customers

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Zenith Bank Plc has announced that it now boasts the best technology infrastructure in the banking industry, positioning itself to provide an exceptional customer experience and superior service delivery moving forward.

This upgrade follows a recent comprehensive technology enhancement.

The bank expressed its heartfelt gratitude to customers for their support and patience throughout the upgrade process, while also extending apologies for any inconveniences experienced during this time.

This announcement was made in a social media post on Wednesday, signed by Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Group Managing Director/CEO.

In her message, the GMD/CEO emphasized the bank’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled service experience, stating, “We undertook this upgrade to ensure we can offer our customers the best possible service.”

Umeoji pledged that Zenith Bank will continue to innovate, ensuring that customer needs are met swiftly, safely, and conveniently.

The post read in part: “On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Zenith Bank PLC, I would like to thank you for your patience and support during our IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system.

“We are truly grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. The primary reason for undertaking this extensive endeavor was to better position Zenith Bank PLC for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and to create memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints.

“While I regret the inconveniences and challenges you faced during and immediately after our migration, I am pleased to inform you that Zenith Bank PLC now has the best technology infrastructure in the industry. We are committed to ensuring you experience superior service delivery going forward.

“Rest assured, you remain our top priority, and Zenith Bank will continue to innovate and offer value-added products and services to meet all your banking needs quickly, safely, and conveniently.”

Business

Polaris Bank Clinches “Best Mobile App” Award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

Published

3 days ago

November 5, 2024

august24admin

Polaris Bank Clinches “Best Mobile App” Award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Polaris Bank’s commitment to digital innovation and excellence has once again been recognized, as the Bank was awarded the prestigious “Best Mobile App” award for its renowned digital banking platform, VULTe, at the Digital Jurist Awards held October 31 at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

This honor comes less than a week after Polaris Bank was named Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, further solidifying its status as a leader in Nigeria’s digital banking landscape.

At the event, attended by representatives from all nominated companies, Polaris Bank’s VULTe app stood out among its peers, winning the hearts of users and the recognition of industry experts.

The Digital Jurist Awards Committee had nominated Polaris Bank in three categories: Best Website, Best Web Portal, and Best Mobile App.

The Bank’s innovative approach and customer-centric digital solutions have made it a formidable contender in each category, with VULTe’s win affirming the Bank’s continued drive to redefine digital banking in Nigeria.

Commenting on the the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to providing seamless, reliable, and secure digital solutions.

“This award continuously shows our dedication to delivering the best digital experiences to our customers. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation to ensure that our platforms remain intuitive, accessible, and impactful,” he said.

Polaris Bank’s VULTe app has gained widespread acclaim for its user-friendly design, robust security features, and diverse functionalities, enabling customers to manage their banking needs from the comfort of their devices.

Winning the “Best Mobile App” award is yet another milestone in the Bank’s digital journey, reinforcing its position as a digital pioneer in Nigeria’s banking sector.

The Bank extends its gratitude to the Digital Jurist Awards Committee and its loyal customers for their continued trust and support.

Polaris Bank is committed to advancing digital banking in Nigeria, creating convenient, modern, and secure solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.

Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2024,2023, 2022 and 2021 and MSME Bank of the Year 2022, 2023 and 2024 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Business

Access Bank Wins Best Digital, Best Website at 2024 Digital Jurist Awards

Published

3 days ago

November 5, 2024

august24admin

Access Bank Wins Best Digital, Best Website at 2024 Digital Jurist Awards

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Bank PLC has been named the 2024 Best Digital Award Winner in the Commercial Banks Category at the Digital Jurist Awards, organized by Phillips Consulting (pcl.).

L-R: Adebowale Shonekan, Head, Network Communications (Group & Subsidiaries), Access Bank Plc; Chukwudi Amadi, Team Lead, Digital Communications, Access Holdings Plc; Ezinne Nwene, Team Member, Digital Communications, Access Holdings Plc, receiving the Best Digital Commercial Bank award from Abbas Babagana, Chief Technical Officer, Federal Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy at the Digital Jurist Awards held in Lagos… recently.

In addition to this top honour, the Bank also secured the Best Website Award, achieving an impressive score of 201 points for its engaging and user-friendly digital experience. Access Bank’s cumulative score of 380 points reflects its excellence across digital touchpoints, including its website, web portal, mobile app, and social media.Commenting on the recognition, Amaechi Okobi, Chief Communications Officer of Access Holdings PLC, said, “We are honoured to receive the Best Digital and Best Website Awards at this year’s Digital Jurist Awards.

At Access, our focus on digital innovation is driven by our commitment to deliver seamless, secure, and customer-centric solutions across all touchpoints.

This recognition validates our ongoing efforts to enhance our digital platforms, making financial services more accessible and efficient for our customers.

We thank Phillips Consulting for recognising our efforts and will continue to raise the bar in digital excellence.”Phillips Consulting has long served as a development partner to Nigerian financial institutions and other organisations with an online presence.

Leveraging its proprietary Digital Jurist platform, the firm has conducted assessments of digital touchpoints in various sectors, from financial services and insurance to telecommunications and government agencies, over the past 17 years.

Originally established as Web Jurist®, the platform was reimagined as Digital Jurist to assess new and diversified digital channels in the evolving digital economy. Digital Jurist’s evaluation framework examines a range of factors, including user experience, accessibility, performance, functionality, security, customer service, support, marketing, and content engagement across digital platforms.

These awards reinforce Access Bank’s leadership in digital banking, adding to recent accolades including 2024 Best Digital Bank and Best Mobile Banking App by World Finance, Best Mobile Banking App and Best Digital Bank by The Digital Banker Awards, and Best Digital Banking Initiative at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024.