Collaboration Key to Driving Growth in Nigeria’s Financial Industry, Says Expert

Emma Okonji

To accelerate growth and deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria, it is imperative for players in the financial service industry including Banks, Telcos and Fintechs to collaborate to provide innovative solutions and unique offerings to customers, the Managing Director, Interswitch Purepay, Akeem Lawal, has said.

Lawal who is an expert in Financial Technology (Fintech) service delivery, made this known during the Nigerian Fintech Forum held recently at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In his keynote address tagged ‘Building Partnership for Growth, Exploring the Intersection of Banks, Telcos and Fintech Companies’, Lawal explained that the Nigeria financial industry has evolved tremendously over the years with customers transitioning from banking halls transactions to adopting digital payment services.

He noted that despite the growth of the financial sector, customers are yearning for more innovative and seamless payment solutions hence, players in the financial industry must work with one another to design cutting-edge solutions that speak to the needs of customers and further strengthen the financial industry.

He said: “As headline platinum sponsor, we are delighted to be sponsoring the Nigeria Fintech Forum because we believe that a platform like this will provide the opportunity for critical stakeholders in the financial industry to engage and proffer solutions that will consequently drive the growth of the financial Industry.” He further said: “At Interswitch, we will continue to design tailor-made solutions that speak to the need of every customer. Therefore, it is important for players in the financial industry, including the banks, telcos and fintechs to leverage collaboration to provide innovative and seamless solutions to customers. This is the only way we can meet the 95 per cent financial inclusion target by 2024.”