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GTCO Launches Squad, Next Generation Payment Solution For African Merchants

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When it comes to internet penetration and adoption of mobile payments, most African countries are still very much below the global average. Even where the internet penetration is improving, the mobile payments adoption rate is still low, meaning an overall lag. For instance, in Kenya where mobile payment adoption is the most on the continent, only about 23.1% of the internet users actually use mobile payment methods.

So, even though the internet infrastructure allows business owners access to a wide market, mostly outside their location, sending and receiving payments with ease still remains a struggle for many.

But this is only for businesses that are not taking advantage of Squad – the newly launched Integrated Payment Solution that is set to revolutionize digital payments in Africa.

Squad is a payment service that is set to drive the future of mobile payments in the African Continent. If you have imagined an Africa where every payment is digital, it is an Africa where every business uses Squad. The features show that this might be the most online and offline payment option for merchants.

Squad will be empowering businesses by taking care of their payment problems and helping to make every payment digital whether it is made online or offline.

It features offline as well as online payment acquisition channels like the Payment Gateway and the Soft POS. If you are worried about getting or handling a POS, the software Point of Sale (Soft POS) allows merchants and vendors to accept payments directly on their phones or device without the need for any additional software. And isn’t this what every merchant needs?

Also, there are several value-added services like the bulk payment collection, automated reconciliation of offline and online payments, fraud prevention tools, and instant settlement among others.

There is a need to get on board the use of Squad considering the need to adopt more cashless based transactions in Africa, growing cases of transmittable diseases, tightened cash liquidity, and insecurity amongst others.

The best way to sum it is that Squad is the one-stop payment solution for every business in Africa.

Squad is that single product that brings technology and user experience and satisfaction for a meet-and-greet. The features are designed for and targeted at micro and small business owners like Kiosk owners and petty traders, medium business owners like digital sellers, online vendors; Tech talents; and even big enterprises.

It is interesting to note that the adoption of cashless-based transaction help businesses, especially small and medium scale enterprises, increase their top line (revenue).

According to a survey by Khatabook, about 45% of SMEs report a boost in sales after adopting mobile or digital payment services.

Therefore, with Squad bringing in a solution that features ease, convenience, and security from fraud, businesses can jump on this train and improve their chances of success.

It makes so much sense that such a product is coming from Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO). Indeed, if any brand has the relevant pieces to define new frontiers in payment and dominate the payments landscape in Africa, it is GTCO.

The GTCO Squad behind Squad

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc is a fully-fledged financial services group, on a mission to make financial services accessible to all Africans. GTCO Plc metamorphosed from Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd which has really been around since the 1990s, and is now present in several African countries including Uganda, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Kenya.

In June 2011, Segun Agbaje took over as Chief Executive of the Bank and since then led the team to blaze a trail in innovation and efficiency. Within the space of a decade, Agbaje raised the Bank’s profit by N1.3 trillion and expanded the balance sheet by 12.07% on average annual growth. The assessment indices show positive growth for the financial institution not just in Nigeria, but in every African country where GTCO is present.

Shareholder’s wealth has also seen a major boost during the period with total equity rising from N230.393 billion in 2011 to N814.395 billion in 2021, an average 13.46% growth per annum. Earnings per share also grew 15.45% on the cumulative average growth rate, from N1.69 per share outstanding in 2011 to N7.11 in 2020. Total assets grew by at least by 12.07% annually in the decade, from N1.598 billion in 2011 to N4.944 trillion in 2020.

What we can all attest to is that the numbers don’t lie, and GTCO has a track record filled with numbers that demonstrate efficiency and profitability, even in the face of the harsh and challenging economy which crumbled several other businesses. Only a formidable leadership could have sustained such records.

GTCO has always had a digital-first, customer-centric strategy that builds digital products and helps individuals and businesses thrive.

Expectedly, the bank was a recipient of several awards at the Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Awards organized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in conjunction with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). The bank clinched 8 out of the 13 awards available for the banking industry at the 2019 EPIS Efficiency Awards including Best Customer Experience Award; Cashless Driver, Point of Sale (POS) Transactions; Real-Time Payments Transaction Efficiency; Cashless Driver, USSD Channel Champion among others.

The Holding company is now home to several trusted brands that are driving innovation and creating viral product adoption, ensuring great experiences, and growing valuable customer engagement. Squad is only the latest addition to this list.

Culled from Nairametrics

BIG STORY

NCC Orders Deactivation Of All Registered SIMs Without Proper NIN Linkage

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Telecommunications operators in the country are getting ready for another round of phone line disconnections for subscribers who have not linked their National Identification Numbers (NIN) with their SIM cards.

In accordance with a regulation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which requires all registered SIMs without adequate NIN linking to be either repaired or entirely disconnected from networks, the disconnections are scheduled to occur on Friday, March 29.

In an effort to counter illegal acts including banditry and kidnapping and ultimately strengthen national security, the government launched the NIN-SIM Linkage process on February 28, 2024.

There are hints of a potential third phase in April 2024.

Operators have reportedly collaborated with the NCC in implementing the directive, demonstrating their dedication to national security objectives and ensuring full compliance by the specified deadlines.

The second phase will target subscribers with five or more SIMs from a single operator that lack verified NIN-SIM linkages.

The third phase, scheduled to start on April 15, will focus on subscribers with four SIMs or fewer and unverified NINs.

While telecom companies are advocating for a review and extension of the April deadline for the third phase, indications from the NCC suggest a firm commitment to the established timelines.

The first phase resulted in the barring of 40 million lines, including approximately 17 million active SIMs without NIN submissions and 23 million inactive SIMs lacking NINs over the past year.

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BIG STORY

European Union Probes Google, Apple, Meta Over Potential Breach Of Digital Market Rules

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Due to anticompetitive behaviour, the European Union (EU) claims to have launched five non-compliance investigations against Apple, Meta, and Alphabet, the parent firm of Google.

The corporations will be investigated for possible violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which was implemented in 2022, according to a statement released by the EU on Monday.

The union declared that it would look into five distinct potential non-compliance incidents.

The economic group further declared that it will look into the possibility that Apple and Alphabet are impeding apps’ ability to freely interact with users and enter into contracts with them.

In addition, the commission said it will look into whether Apple is not giving users enough choice, whether Meta is unfairly demanding individuals to pay to avoid their data being used for advertisements, and whether Google prefers the firm’s own goods and services in search results.

Speaking on the issue, Margrethe Vestager, EU’s vice-president in charge of competition policy, said the investigations concern Alphabet’s rules ‘on steering’ in Google Play and self-preferencing in Google search.

The probe, according to Vestager, also concerns Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store and on choosing browsers and changing defaults, and Meta’s ‘pay or consent model’.

“We suspect that the suggested solutions put forward by the three companies do not fully comply with the DMA,” she said.

“We will now investigate the companies’ compliance with the DMA, to ensure open and contestable digital markets in Europe.”

On his part, Thierry Breton, commissioner for internal market, said the EU has been in discussions with gatekeepers for months to help them adapt, “and we can already see changes happening on the market”.

“But we are not convinced that the solutions by Alphabet, Apple and Meta respect their obligations for a fairer and more open digital space for European citizens and businesses,” he said.

Breton added that if investigation concludes that there is lack of full compliance with the DMA, gatekeepers could face heavy fines.

Meanwhile, the commission said it intends to conclude the proceedings within 12 months.

If warranted following the investigation, the EU said it will inform the concerned gatekeepers of its preliminary findings and explain the measures it is considering taking or the gatekeeper should take in order to effectively address the its concerns.

In case of an infringement, the commission said it may impose fines up to 10 percent of the companies’ entire worldwide turnover.

The EU said such fines could increase to 20 percent in case of repeated infringement.

The commission added that in case of systematic infringements, it may also adopt additional remedies.

Six companies have obligations under the DMA, EU said, including Alphabet, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft and ByteDance.

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BIG STORY

Coronation Group, Access Holdings Plc, Safaricom And M-PESA Africa Partner To Explore Remittances

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A transformative collaboration aimed at broadening access to remittances across Africa has been forged among Coronation Group, Access Holdings Plc, Safaricom Plc and M-PESA Africa (the parties) as the parties come together in a strategic alliance dedicated to propelling financial inclusion and nurturing economic prosperity for millions across the continent.

The parties aim to explore solutions that will provide a remittance corridor between East and West Africa, connecting some of the continent’s largest economies.

The collaboration will see the convergence of Access Holdings’ robust Pan-African banking infrastructure, spanning 14 African countries, with Coronation Group’s comprehensive array of technology-infused financial services offerings in West Africa, coupled with M-PESA and Safaricom. M-PESA is the continent’s leading mobile money and digital payments service, connecting more than 60 million customers and 5 million businesses across 8 countries and processing more than $1 billion a day in transaction value. Safaricom is Kenya’s leading telecommunications, ICT and financial services provider with more than 32 million of its customers using M-PESA services every month.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, emphasised the ethos of empowerment that forms the foundation of this collaboration. “We stand at the threshold of an extraordinary journey, one poised to shape the financial landscape of Africa. This partnership encompasses more than a convergence of capabilities; it signifies the fusion of collective expertise, resources, and an unwavering commitment to drive financial inclusion, empowering millions throughout Africa. Through collaborative innovation, shared vision, and resolute determination, we are primed to unlock unprecedented opportunities, transform lives, and make an indelible imprint on Africa’s trajectory,” Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede added.

Sharing insights into the transformative potential of the collaboration, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, affirmed, “Our conviction remains steadfast – this collaboration has the power to recalibrate the trajectory of financial services in Africa. By combining our strengths with those of Coronation Group, Safaricom and M-Pesa Africa, we will deliver on our promise of sustainably impacting our stakeholders, empowering individuals, and significantly contributing to the continent’s economic ascension.”

“African countries trade more with nations outside the continent than within themselves. Initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seek to address the lack of intra-continental trade. This partnership with Safaricom, Coronation Group and Access Holdings seeks to explore remittance corridors between East and West Africa bringing alive the AfCFTA spirit,” said Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, MD – M-PESA Africa.

“We will be collaborating with M-PESA Africa, Coronation Group and Access Holdings to explore secure, convenient, and affordable remittance solutions that will connect our customers to opportunities in West Africa. Africa remains an underserved region especially for remittances within the continent making such partnerships crucial in closing the gap,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO – Safaricom.

The initial phase of the collaboration will concentrate on pivotal markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania.

The collaboration is subject to commercial discussions and definitive agreements, internal corporate approvals of the respective parties and relevant legal and regulatory processes. The partners remain steadfast in their adherence to regulatory frameworks and their dedication to establishing an enabling environment that empowers individuals and enterprises alike, fostering significant contributions to Africa’s economic advancement.

 

About The Partnering Entities

  • Access Holdings Plc

Access Holdings Plc is a leading multinational financial services group that offers commercial banking, lending, payment, insurance, and asset management services. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Access Holdings operates through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 21 countries, and over 60 million customers.

Access transitioned into a holding company to drive rapid growth and become a full-scale ecosystem player offering interconnected services across customer needs. Established in 2022, Access Holdings Plc consists of the Access Bank Group; Access Pensions; a Payment and Switching Services Company; a Digital Lending Company, and an Insurance Brokerage Company. The banking vertical serves its various markets through four business segments: Retail, Business, Commercial and Corporate, and has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last eighteen years, becoming one of Africa’s largest retail banks by customer base and Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bank by total assets.

Access Holdings strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams. For more information about Access Holdings and its subsidiaries, please visit www.theaccesscorporation.com.

 

  • About Coronation Group

Coronation Group Limited is a leading African Financial Markets Holding Company headquartered in Lagos Nigeria. As the holding company, it provides strategic oversight to a diverse portfolio of companies operating in the Financial Services, Technology, and Energy sectors across the continent. Coronation Group’s Financial Services companies offer a comprehensive range of investment, lending, and assurance solutions tailored to address the unique needs of its clients. The Group holds non-operating investments in energy, technology, and consumer businesses, diversifying its presence in key sectors.

Coronation Group’s vision extends beyond the present, continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of its customers. For more information about Coronation Group and its subsidiaries, please visit www.coronation.ng

 

  • About M-PESA Africa

M-PESA Africa was established in 2020 as a joint venture between Safaricom and Vodacom Group to accelerate platform development, synchronise product roadmaps, and enhance M-PESA operational capabilities into a single, fully converged Centre of Excellence.

Launched in 2007, M-PESA is Africa’s largest fintech providing financial services to more than 60 million customers every month. The service empowers customers to transact- send and receive money, make payments, as well as save and access credit all from the convenience of a mobile phone.

M-PESA provides Africa’s leading Super App that enables any business to offer their products and services through an embedded “mini-app”. More than 5 million customers use the M-PESA Super App every month with more than 40 businesses providing embedded mini-apps.

By empowering tens of millions of customers to access formal financial services for the first time, M-PESA has contributed to a more than a three-fold growth in formal financial inclusion across Africa. It has equally transformed the standard of living in rural areas and empowered women with access and control over their finances.

Socioeconomically, M-PESA has provided a lifeline for millions of people facilitating direct disbursements from governments and non-government organisations to refugees, patients accessing health care, economically vulnerable persons amongst other groups.

M-PESA is available in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Ghana and Egypt. It provides customers with access to the widest agent network across the continent at more than 600,000 agent outlets and to cashless payments at more than 950,000 businesses.

For more information about M-PESA, please visit www.m-pesa.africa

 

  • About Safaricom

Safaricom is the leading telecommunication company in East Africa. Our purpose is to transform lives by connecting people to people, people to opportunities and people to information. We keep over 45 million customers connected and play a critical role in the society, supporting over one million jobs both directly and indirectly while our total economic value was estimated at KES 393 billion ($ 3.1 billion) for the 12 months through March 2022.

Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and with annual revenues of close to KES 310.9 billion ($2.3 billion) as of March 2023. Safaricom provides connectivity through wide range of technology, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G in aggregate covering over 99% of Kenya’s population.

Safaricom, together with Vodacom, runs the world’s largest mobile payment system and Africa’s largest Fintech, M-PESA, the world’s first mobile money transfer system. By empowering over 30 million customers in Kenya and Ethiopia, to transact, save or borrow money through their mobile phone, M-PESA has driven financial inclusion in Kenya to 83.7% in 2021 of the adult population from a low of 26.7% in 2006 and generated over KES 117.2 Billion ($886 million) in revenue as at FY23.

Safaricom’s subsidiary, Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia has deployed a world class network and services and has rolled out mobile money services in 2023, to contribute to Ethiopia’s digital transformation.

Safaricom is an equal opportunity employer, actively recruiting staff from different backgrounds reflecting the communities that we serve. Safaricom is committed to equal gender representation at all levels. Its target is to achieve 50:50 senior management gender parity by 2025.

As part of Safaricom’s ongoing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we continue to work towards improving energy and resource efficiency in our network and facilities to reduce carbon emissions and our fuel consumption. We remain committed to becoming a Net Zero carbon-emitting company by 2050.

For news, please visit: https://www.safaricom.co.ke/media-center

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