Moroney’s company has been the market-leading pioneer in terms of spreading knowledge on the Internet, computing and telecommunications across most of English-speaking Africa.

He spoke to Hilary Okeke on the forthcoming AITEC Banking and Payment Technologies Conference and other issues.

AITEC Banking and Payment Technologies Conference

AITEC Banking and Payment Technologies Conference is a platform where experts in banking technology from Nigeria, South Africa, UK and other parts of the world, come together to share their knowledge with the professionals and managers that attend the conference. Last year we had over 400 delegates attending the conference. In parallel with the conference, we have the exhibition which is the marketing showcase for the industry. Here, we see the latest technologies for the banking and financial services sector under one roof, providing a competitive situation where the banks and other potential buyers of the products can compare and actually quiz the companies that are on display about the services they are providing.

Major Achievements

The Banking and Payment Technologies Conference has transformed the development of the financial credit sector from one that is rather traditional and colonial in perspective, to one that is now more outward looking, more inclusive and providing services for the unbanked. The problem that the conference has is that the vast majority of the populace still remains unbanked. They do not have basic financial services in order to transfer funds; in order to get money from one part of the country to another and also to be able to save their funds securely. The mobile banking phenomenon has hit East Africa in a big way and it is expected in this part soon. That would be a major focus of this year’s conference – Mobile Banking or what we call Branchless Banking. So, that has been the major achievement of the conference, providing a forum where new developments that are rapidly evolving can be deliberated.

Nigeria Ripe for e-Payment

Definitely! I think one needs to draw a line between e-payment and mobile payment. The former is facilitated by the Internet. I think the infrastructure is not well developed, in that way a lot of people do not have access to the Internet. For mobile payment, we are going to see huge increases in terms of volumes. Because there is rapid roll out of mobile telephony in the country, one can now leverage on that infrastructure and develop mobile banking.

Potential of Branchless Banking in Nigeria

Well, the potential is limitless. It still boils down to leveraging on the mobile networks, and there is big potential. You can use the mobile networks to transfer from user-to-user; you can also deploy wireless systems with mobile devices to function in the rural areas. At this moment, we have thousands of agents vending mobile scratch cards. Those agents can be trained and upgraded to actually become bank agents and can be in charge of certain transactions. So, the opportunities are boundless.

Role of Telecommunications in Mobile Banking

Telecommunication networks provide the backbone of the mobile banking system. In Kenya for example, on the M-pesa system there are millions of customers making fund transfers through the mobile system. The time has come for the banks to partner with mobile operators to provide these services because they have the proper banking expertise and experience in order to provide customers with the security and professionalism they need using mobile banking; whereas the mobile operators are more experienced in the infrastructure aspect. There is the need for partnership between the two sectors in order to provide effective mobile banking services.

Replicating M-pesa’s Success in Nigeria

Of course it could, but the right regulatory environment needs to be put in place. The Central Bank is grappling with that at the moment. Moneybox has been given mobile banking licence, which indicates some progress. I think we are on the eve of another banking revolution in Nigeria and we will see millions of people making use of their mobile phones for banking transactions.

Microfinance Banks and Mobile Banking

That is an important focus of this year’s conference – it includes the microfinance institutions. The conference, which would be in partnership with CGAP, EFIna and the World Bank, is going to focus on fashioning out ways in which these new technologies and new ideas can be utilized by the microfinance institutions. One of the sessions would be “Linking MFIs, Banks and payment Providers: What are the Obstacles in Nigeria?” So, we are going to look at what the problems are and what are the solutions. That would be a major focus of the conference - to find a way around to actualizing the benefits of these new developments.

Place of the Unbanked in the Branchless Banking Scenario

The unbanked are the target audience. The key untapped market out there needs low cost banking solution to be able to transfer funds from one point to another; a low cost solution to be able to invest their funds effectively, as well as access micro loans to develop their businesses. That is very critical in a branchless banking system that is based on telecoms networks.

Issues at this year’s event

They include latest software developments for ATMs. We will be looking at e-channels for microfinance banking, and the major focus will be on security issues. As we speak about mobile banking, security is a major problem. So, we would be looking at solutions in terms of security. We would be addressing ATM software trends for 2009/10, contact centres in banking, matters arising in Islamic banking, among others. In the exhibitions, we have a number of South African countries participating and we would be seeing a lot of cutting-edge technologies.

more about AITEC: http://www.aitecafrica.com/

more about the conference: 4-6 May 2009 at Muson Centre Lagos, Nigeria

The first day of the conference will be hosted by a consortium of agencies promoting the extension of banking services to the unbanked through mobile technology and other innovations. These organisations include Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), supported by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the MSME Project which is a joint pilot of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the World Bank.

With the theme, Transforming Access to Finance Through Branchless Banking, the conference will highlight technologies used by pioneering organizations in the financial services industry, including microfinance organizations, to reduce costs and reach new customers.

Engaging with the Customer

Technology presents great opportunities for the financial sector to extend reach, improve service and reduce costs. However, in the drive to implement the very best that technology vendors have to offer, the focal point of the banking process is often forgotten – the customer. Banking & Payment Technologies 2009 will therefore focus on the customer experience in relation to all technology implementation and services, challenging suppliers and bankers alike to evaluate their systems in the light of customer needs and preferences.

Banking & Payment Technologies 2009 will engage with bank customers by inviting them to attend the exhibition and experience the new services available today through the wide range of new payment technologies being offered by banks.
Banks will be invited to demonstrate their services by setting up mini-branches on the exhibition floor, using them as platforms not only to market their services but also to obtain valuable customer feedback and data. The Banking Mall of the exhibition will be a live laboratory platform to demonstrate world class banking services powered by latest payment technologies.
The Technology Hub of the exhibition will provide a showcase for technology manufacturers and vendors to demonstrate their latest products and systems to enhance West Africa’s rapidly growing financial services sector.

Conference

The event includes a three-day conference which provides a valuable educational forum for the financial services sector, updating CXOs and IS managers on latest international developments in payment technologies, best practices in IT project deployment, and latest trends in customer service delivery.

Joe DiVanna, an acknowledged world thought-leader in banking, has been appointed as Conference Chairman and will be contributing to the formulation of the key topics to be covered. Bankers will be asked to share their insights into optimizing customer service through technology deployment. There will be an emphasis on case studies and vendor product promotion will be kept to a minimum, limiting them to clearly designated Commercial Presentations or Showcase Presentations. Vendors will be encouraged to do their product presentations in the Fast-Track Theatre in the Exhibition.

You will hear from the following people at this event. If you wish to know more about them or what they will be talking about, please click on their names:

	Abiodun Ogunlabi Abiodun Ogunlabi graduated from the University of Lagos in 1995 with BSc. honours in Industrial Chemistry. In 2003/2004 after several years of hands-on management experience, he acquired a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree from the pres more...
	Alice Zanza Alice recently joined the World Bank as a Senior Payment Systems Specialist in the Payment Systems Development Group. Prior to joining the World Bank, Alice was the Head of Payment Systems at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe where she was responsible for driv more...
	Almerindo Graziano Almerindo is the Director and founder of Silensec, a company providing consultancy services in information security and specialized ISO27001 compliance, technical security assessments and security training.   He holds an MSc in E more...
	Anthony Van Rensburg Anthony Van Rensburg has been involved in the design of ICT related services for the past 18 years. He has worked in the banking, call centre and heathcare sectors. He has extensive international experiance having worked in Singapore, Indonesia, more...
	Barry Coetzee Barry is the Chief Executive Officer of iVeri Payment Technologies, the company he founded in 1998. Based in South Africa, Barry has dedicated the last decade to developing IT solutions to improve transactional banking in Africa. Through iVeri, Barry ha more...
	Brian Richardson Mr. Brian Richardson, Founding Director and CEO of WIZZIT.  Wizzit is a bank operating as a division of The South African Bank of Athens Limited aimed at the un and under banked segment of the population utilizing cell phone technology. &nb more...
	Cecliia Ibru Dr. Cecilia Ibru Born on March 22, 1946, received excellent secondary education at Saint Margaret’s Grammar School, Ilesha from 1960 to 1965. She proceeded to University Tutorial College , London from 1967 to 1968 where she obtained a Higher School more...
	David Cracknell David Cracknell is the Programme Director for Africa and has extensive experience of helping MFIs and commercial banks in Eastern and Southern Africa to move onto a market-led approach to microfinance. He has played a key role in the development of Mi more...
	Edna Ishaya Mrs. Edna Ishaya, EFInA Board Member, and Executive Chairman, AdanaMamaki Nigeria Limited.  Founder and Former Managing Director of Centre for Microenterprise Development. She holds a BSc and an MSc in Biology both from the Ahmadu Bello University, Z more...
	Francisco Caeiro Francisco Caeiro is the CEO of Brithol Michcoma Mozambique, Ltd, and heads the company’s African operations. He has a BSc Hons Degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from The University of Salford in the UK as well as a Post-graduat more...
	Georg Roider Georg F. Roider is the CEO and founder of Probanx Information Systems Ltd. Georg has the vision of delivering innovative and customisable software solutions for local and international banks. He founded his own managed business BankCom Consultants more...
	Girisch Nair Technology Associates (formerly ComputerPoint) was founded by Girisch Nair in 1991, when at the age of 22 he envisaged building a service – centric organization addressing woes of the business community and corporate enterprise in Uganda. Under his more...
	Grace Mlimo Grace Mlimo is a Business Development Manager Africa / MEA at Clickatell and started with the company in April 2008. Prior to joining Clickatell Grace was a Business Development at MTN South Africa working with Service Providers and the Wireless Applicati more...
	Ike Nnamani Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani is the President/Chief Executive Officer of Medallion Communications, Nigeria which provides interconnect exchange clearinghouse services. Medallion currently employs 18 full time staff and has 29 telecom operators in Nigeria as it more...
	Issa Odtallah Issa Odtallah holds an MSc (1989) degrees in Satellite Communications from the University of Surrey, UK, Issa has been working at Inmarsat, the satellite communication services company for more than 17 years. He is currently working as a senior regiona more...
	Jennifer Isern Dr. Jennifer Isern brings 21 years of experience in development in more than 50 countries,  including 5 years managing financial services and economic development programs in West Africa.  Dr. Isern joined CGAP in 1996 and is Lead Microfinanc more...
	Kunle Adetoro Kunle Adetoro, FCNSA, FCSP, CCSE, CISP, CEH Chief Technology Officer Mr. Kunle Adetoro, is the CTO / CSO for Project Engineering USA, and is a highly reputed consultant in the IT/Security arena. He has worked on various high profile projects both more...
	Kyari Bukar Mr. Kyari A. Bukar attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a B.Sc Degree in Physics. Soon after his National Service, he proceeded to Oregon State University in the United States of America, where he bagged a Masters Degree (M.Sc) in more...
	Lauren Reese Lauren Reese works with CGAP’s Technology Team and manages the Information Systems Program, which aims to help microfinance institutions (MFIs) improve their back-end systems. Before joining CGAP, Reese worked in microenterprise development for a c more...
	Louis Siebrits Dr Siebrits is currently a director of Krideco Business Solutions, a business using biometric technology in the granting of credit. He is also a Director of CapitalData (Pty) Ltd, one of the bigger Asset Management Companies in South Africa. Before joi more...
	Macaulay Atasie Mac is currently the Managing Director/CEO of NEXTZON Business Services Ltd.  He has over 20 years experience in business advisory and venturing for several industries. He started his career as an Assistant Manager at Nigerian Breweries Plc. be more...
	Mark Dorfling Mark Dorfling has been involved in IT for the last 12 years. He joined Adobe Systems just over a year ago, as the Enterprise Channel Manager for Africa, responsible for the Adobe Enterprise LiveCycle Suite. Before joining Adobe, Mark held various p more...
	Modupe Ladipo Modupe Ladipo is the Chief Executive Officer for Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA).  EFInA is an independent, professional, non-profit organization conceived and funded by DFID and Ford Foundation. EFInA’s mission is to make more...
	Paul Nicholls Paul is the Sales Manager for UK and Ireland for KAL, the world’s leading supplier of Multi Vendor ATM software.   Paul has been involved with the ATM industry since the early 1980s, in a variety of sales and marketing roles bo more...
	Paul Leishman Paul is Knowledge Manager for the Mobile Money for the Unbanked initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He is responsible for leading the development and dissemination of commercial content, including business strategy analys more...
	Pia ROMAN Pia Bernadette Roman is the head of the Inclusive Finance Advocacy Staff (IFAS) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines). In this capacity, she is involved in the overall microfinance program within the central bank an more...
	Raghavan Kunigahalli Raghavan Kunigahalli, Ph.D. – Dr. Kunigahalli has more than 20 years of experience serving education, software, banking, financial services, and insurance institutions in various capacities. Dr. Kunigahalli is currently a Senior Vice Presid more...
	Ramesh Mengawade Mr. Ramesh has over 24 years of experience in payments and securities domain, with the last 12 years in the role of Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his current role at Opus and ECS, Ramesh has worked for Wipro, Indigo and HP. In these assignments, more...
	Rob Muller Rob is the Commercial Director of Finteq, and joined the company at the beginning of 2008, with the purpose of growing the company into a Pan-African operation. Rob started off his career by getting a qualification in Electronic Engineering, and working as more...
	Roland Omoresemi Roland is the President/CEO of Tezza Business Solutions, LLC a U.S based IT Consulting Company. Roland has spent the last decade implementing Software Quality Assurance processes and Software Testing programs for various United States’ fortune more...
	Stephan Botha Stephan Botha is the Managing Director / CEO of Integrated Cash Management Services Ltd., a Nigerian company specializing in cash supply chain management.  The company is a joint venture company established between XL Cash Management Services Limit more...
	Stephen Leonard Stephen J. Leonard, Chief Executive Officer, PIC Solutions International Stephen J. Leonard is Chief Executive Officer of PIC Solutions International, the leading specialist credit risk solutions company in the emerging markets of Africa, Asia, more...
	Theunis Botha Versatile, dynamic, Chief Executive Officer providing decisive leadership, management and guidance with a proven ability to dramatically increase and sustain revenues in intensely competitive environments. Results focused and effectual leader with prove more...
	Toyin Adeniji Mrs. Toyin Adeniji is the Chief Executive of Susu Microfinance Bank. Susu Microfinance Bank is a pioneer Microfinance Bank, and was one of the first five microfinance banks to be licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2006. Toyin has an MBA from Hav more...