Fintech Archives - Page 14 of 19

2Sep

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech Startup SOL announces rebrand with exciting new virtual card offering

SOL unveils virtual card and new brand as it redefines the customer experience SOLmate, an online payment platform that offers clients a digital wallet facility, has unveiled an exciting new product offering together with an extensive rebrand and renewed corporate vision. Following a name change to SOLmate, the fintech has launched a new, innovative virtual card – placing unbanked and underbanked clients at the centre of SOLmate’s business offering. The new virtual card provides clients with the ability to shop online safely, and to draw cash from various retail stores – making SOLmate one of the first fintech players to offer a virtual card to FICA lite customers who would otherwise not have had access to digital financial services. With a new tagline of “Your money. Your life. Your ...

24Aug

By Sakhile MabenaNo Comments

Fintech, South Africa News

Transforming Financial Inclusion Using Behavioural Science

From Financial Access - to Financial Health By Sakhile Mabena, CEO, OFIN, a fintech startup specialising in Behavioural Data Analytics, Financial Process Automation, Behaviour-based Financing and SME Behaviour Nudges There is currently a revolution in the space of financial inclusion, with around 70% of people worldwide now having access to financial services, up from just 50% a decade ago, according to the World Bank. One of the key drivers behind this phenomenon is the huge increase in mobile phone usage among people of all income levels, allowing institutions to deliver services more easily and cost-effectively to the underbanked. But, does access automatically translate into usage? While it is commonly thought that financial access should lead to financial prosperity, a recent...

18Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Business, Fintech, South Africa News

Four steps to fixing cash flow and help SMEs survive

We are all familiar with the saying in business that "cash is king" and, if that’s the case, then cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. For small or mid-size businesses, cash flow is a critical component of success. Profits are meaningless without it. The harsh reality is that SMEs who don't exercise good cash flow management may not be able to survive the current economic climate. In South Africa, the recession and pandemic have had a devastating impact on the approximately 2.5 million SMMEs accounting for 10.8 million jobs. In a recent report published by Transunion, 6.4% of formal SMEs going into bankruptcy (up 50% from last year), with 260,000 jobs lost and another 240,000 at risk. According to Trevor Gosling, CEO of SME funder, Lulalend, there are four practical ways in which...

10Aug

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech, South Africa News

Cash is king – but digital payments are coming for the throne

Even with a high banked population and a multitude of electronic payment options available, the average South African still use cash for daily purchases and payments with an estimated 78-80% of transactions being in cash. Anton van der Merwe, the recently-appointed COO of Ukheshe Technologies, a fintech enablement partner that works with financial institutions to grow in the rapidly-expanding digital space, says that for these reasons alone, the opportunities for digital payments are set to boom. Van der Merwe, who has a strong background in traditional financial environments says that his appointment at Ukheshe represents the significant shift in the traditional and fintech spaces: “New technologies are expected to change the local landscape as emerging trends accelerate and traditional...

15Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech, South Africa News

Avoiding Instant Electronic Funds Transfer payments Risks

In 2020, e-commerce in South Africa spiked by 66%, driven by COVID-19-induced lockdowns and a drop in brick-and-mortar retail sales[i]. This increase was accompanied by an upsurge in the use of instant Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments. Towards the end of last year however, the SA Reserve Bank, Payment Association of South Africa (PASA), and Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) issued a joint statement warning consumers to be aware of the risks associated with this payment method, particularly the use of screen scraping, "which makes it possible for third parties to access bank account data and automate actions on behalf of a consumer using that consumer’s online banking access credentials". The statement went on to detail some of these risks such as the potential for fraud and...

Future proofing banking through the power of data, APIs and automation

15Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech

Future proofing banking through the power of data, APIs and automation

The global pandemic has ushered in a new paradigm for the Retail Banking sector, one which demands quicker transformation to a customer-centric service that is digitised, personal and convenient. A recent Financial Industries panel discussion held by Kearney, a global consultancy, shed light on how the power of data, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and automation could be leveraged to satisfy these expectations and invigorate the sector. Hentus Honiball, Partner at Kearney, maintains that large, traditional banks with complex, cumbersome operating models and legacy technology architecture are now being threatened by agile new fintech entrants. In contrast with the siloed, product-centric approach of traditional players, responsive new players are looking to build customer-centric...

15Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech, South Africa News

South Africa. Banking customers are urged to remain extra vigilant during these trying times

South Africa is in the middle of one of the most tyring times in the country’s history. Unemployment was on the rise which will only worsen in the aftermath of the current situation. In addition, tensions are boiling over turning into violent acts and destruction which are currently disrupting society. This includes bank ATM’s and branches. “During these trying times, we are urging all banking clients to keep calm and to be aware that the violence will be causing some disruption to normal branch services. In addition to all the other challenges facing consumers, fraudsters will be more motivated than ever to take advantage of the current crises that is gripping the country. We need to be extra vigilant during these times,” urges Reana Steyn, the Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS). Online...

15Jul

By John BrooksNo Comments

Fintech, Nigeria News

Top 5 Reasons Why Nigerian Pioneer Bitcoin Remittances

A survey by Statista found that around 32 percent of people in Nigeria use cryptocurrencies and this is the highest proportion of a population in the world. In terms of trade volume, the country stands in 3rd position after the United States of American and Russia with a transaction value of more than 400 million dollars. This virtual currency is booming in Nigeria although there is a banking ban on it, traders discovered ways against government ban like the other parts of the world. As per the blockchain research firm Chainalysis, the amount of crypto received by the Nigerian crypto community has been constantly growing. The use of crypto in international trade also surged in Nigeria, people tried to use the currency to proxy the US dollar. Since the beginning of 2021, Nigerians traded 50...

13Jul

By Africa BusinessNo Comments

Fintech, Nigeria News

M-KOPA Expands to Nigeria, Appoints Babajide Duroshola as New Country General Manager

Connected Asset Financing Platform Commercially Launching After 20,000 Device Pilot 12th July 2021. Lagos, Nigeria. M-KOPA, the leading connected asset financing platform, today announces it has officially expanded to Nigeria. To lead the Nigeria team, M-KOPA has named Babajide Duroshola as the new General Manager. A part of the tech company’s broader expansion strategy, the move into the Nigerian market signals M-KOPA’s focus on offering millions of underbanked customers across Sub-Saharan Africa access to life-enhancing products and services such as smartphones, solar lighting, energy-efficient televisions, fridges and digital financial services via its financing platform. The company recorded pilot sales of over 20,000 devices in Lagos, and is rapidly expanding into states across the c...

13Jul

By Arab NewswireNo Comments

Fintech

Bushra Mahdi appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Tetra Pay International in the GCC and MENA region

Bushra Mahdi is appointed as the brand ambassador for Tetra Pay International INC for the countries in the GCC and the MENA alliance of nations. Leading Instagram influencer, Bushra has over 299 thousand followers on her Instagram page making her a youth icon. She is also the founder of Red Films, owing to her passion for cinema and her knack of giving back to society. DUBAI, UAE – (Arab Newswire) - Tetra Pay International INC proudly presents Bushra Mahdi as the brand ambassador to represent the GCC and MENA countries. Bushra is one of the most well-known influencers on Instagram having an extensive follower base of more than 299,000 followers. Bushra has worked extensively with several of UAE’s esteemed organisations which includes the ministry of Interiors and Security Media of Ab...