Lawrence Ezeh, the commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology in Enugu State, has said the state government is implementing strategic initiatives aimed at positioning Enugu among the top three states in Nigeria in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He stated this during the Enugu Tech Festival held at the International Conference Centre Enugu, noting that the state’s development strategy prioritises traceability, accountability, disruptive innovation and optimal performance across sectors.
Also speaking during a panel session at the event, Mrs. Abimbola Reis, the divisional head, Merchant and Payment Services at eTranzact Plc, called for a more aggressive grassroots approach to advancing financial inclusion in Enugu State and across Nigeria.
Speaking on the implications of financial exclusion, Reis noted that individuals who remain outside the financial technology ecosystem face several limitations, even when they may not immediately realise it.
According to her, financial exclusion reduces economic opportunities, increases exposure to risks and limits business growth potential.
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“Time is very valuable. If you have to physically go to the bank to get cash, you expend time that could have been used for other productive activities,” she said.
Reis further explained that cash-based transactions expose individuals to security risks, especially during transit, adding that the absence of digital transaction records also makes it difficult for small business owners to access credit.
“When you don’t have records of your transactions, you cannot easily present your business performance to financial institutions to obtain loans for expansion. The opportunity to grow becomes highly diminished,” she stated.
On efforts to support emerging technology builders and expand the fintech ecosystem, the eTranzact executive said the company continues to invest significantly in innovation and technology infrastructure.
She described eTranzact Plc as not only a Central Bank-licensed payment solution provider but also a technology-driven organisation committed to strengthening Nigeria’s digital payment landscape.
“At eTranzact, we pride ourselves on innovation. Technology is the backbone of the payment systems we build. We are also enabling diaspora payments, making it easier for Nigerians abroad to engage seamlessly with services and solutions developed within this ecosystem,” she said.
Calling for deeper financial inclusion in Enugu State, Reis emphasised the need for initiatives to extend beyond urban centres to local government areas and grassroots communities.
“It should trickle down to the local government levels and individuals. Communication must be simplified so that solutions are relatable and easily embraced by underserved users,” she added.
