The new CRC Mobile App, launched recently, signals a strategic shift for the 15-year-old institution.

While the previous version was a basic portal for credit reports, the upgrade transforms the platform into a multi-service ecosystem.

Users can now pay utility bills (DSTV, StarTimes, electricity), buy airtime, and manage a digital wallet, all within the same interface used to monitor their financial health.

The Details:

Security Upgrade: The app now supports biometric authentication (Face ID and Fingerprint) and a hide balance feature for its integrated wallet, standard features for Tier-1 banking apps but a significant leap for a credit bureau.

The Ecosystem Play: Beyond credit scores, CRC is integrating its Financial Education Centre (CFEC), allowing users to register and pay for professional training courses directly in-app.

The Why: By bundling everyday transactions with credit monitoring, CRC is trying to solve the low retention problem typical of credit bureaus.

Most people only check their score when applying for a loan; by adding bill payments, CRC ensures users log in more frequently.

For years, credit bureaus in Nigeria have operated in the background, primarily serving banks.

However, as the country’s credit culture matures and more buy now, pay later (BNPL) services emerge, there is a growing need for consumers to have real-time, frictionless access to their data.

“The upgraded app is designed to place greater control in the hands of customers,” said Dr. ’Tunde Popoola, MD/CEO of CRC Credit Bureau.

By moving into the utility and payment space, CRC is also positioning itself against fintechs. While it might not replace your primary bank app, it is becoming a one-stop shop for anyone looking to build a credit-ready profile while handling daily expenses.

The app is currently available on the Google Play and Apple App stores.

The post CRC Credit Bureau Pivots to a Super App Model with New Mobile Launch appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

In a bold leap toward smarter, safer banking, FirstBank has introduced facial recognition technology on its mobile app, FirstMobile, empowering customers to sign up and access services using only their face.

Whether you’re a new customer, someone living abroad without a card, or just tired of typing in passwords, this upgrade makes banking as simple as looking in the mirror.

“It’s not just about technology. It’s about putting customers first,” says Chukwuma Ezirim, group executive of E-Business and Retail Products. “We understand the importance of keeping up with the evolving digital landscape, and we are dedicated to providing our customers with cutting-edge solutions that make banking simpler, faster, and more accessible. Our goal is to ensure that every interaction with FirstBank enhances customer satisfaction and builds long-lasting relationships.”

What’s New?

In addition to facial sign-in and activation, FirstMobile now offers:

• Virtual credit cards for secure online shopping
• Instant credit card activation right from the app
• Flexible salary advance with 3-month repayment
• General performance improvements and bug fixes

With anti-spoofing technology built into facial recognition, customers enjoy a heightened level of protection against fraud — because your face is one password no one else can steal.

Banking Made for Everyone

This upgrade isn’t just for tech lovers. It’s for:

• Customers whose cards are expired, lost, or not yet issued
• Those who’ve opted for cardless banking
• People seeking swift access to transfers, bill payments, and credit tools — from anywhere in the world

Whether you’re in Lagos, London, or Lumumbashi, FirstMobile puts secure digital banking in your pocket.

The Future of Banking Is Personal

FirstBank’s latest innovation isn’t just a feature update — it’s a statement: That banking should adapt to you, not the other way around.

So, the next time you want to bank, just look into your phone.
FirstBank sees you — literally.

Ready to try it? Download or update FirstMobile today.

Learn more about Firstmobile app here.

The post No Password? No Problem: FirstBank Introduces Facial Recognition in FirstMobile App appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Every year, millions of new mobile apps are launched, due to which the mobile app market is getting highly crowded and competitive.

To stand out in such a competitive and crowded market, you need to have a working strategy.

Without a proper strategy, you cannot make your app stand out in this market, no matter how hard you try.

To stand out in the market, you need to have a sound understanding of how various things work including market trends, market segmentation, advertising, app store optimization, and much more.

Rising above the competition is difficult but it certainly isn’t impossible. Let us talk about a few things that can help you to make your app stand out in a crowded market.

Build a Quality App

First thing first, you need to build a great product to lure in more users. No matter how good your strategies are, if your app is not performing its intended function or is not up to the level of competition, it will fail.

All of the others that we have discussed below will only work if you build a great product and in this case, a great mobile app.

Focusing on developing such a mobile app that provides value to users and helps them to solve a genuine problem they are facing.

To really stand out, you need to do it better than your competitors so that your products really stand out in the market like WinZo (You can Download WinZo from here). Once you have built a great product, you will be well on your way to outcompete your competitors and make a name for yourself.

Perform Competitor and Market Research

To beat your enemy or rival, you need to know your enemy and in this case, to beat your competition in the market, you need to know what they are doing, how they are doing, and where you could beat them by doing it better.

Perform a thorough research on the market and competition to find out why users like their apps, what unique value proposition they offer to users, how engaging their apps are, and what features they are missing.

Competitor and market research will allow you to come up with findings that can help you make your app even better than those of your competitors in terms of functionality, features, efficiency, and engagement.

Come Up with a Definitive Marketing Strategy

Coming up with a definitive marketing strategy is important to showcase your mobile app in front of as many people as possible.

No matter how big or famous a company is, it needs a good marketing strategy to showcase its mobile app in front of a huge audience and grab their attention.

If you think that you just need to build a mobile app and users will come on their own, then you cannot be further wrong. Every product in the world needs a good marketing strategy and mobile apps are no different.

There are various types of advertising available including social media advertising, event promotion, collaborations, and much more.

Discuss with the marketing team about the most effective method of marketing your mobile app.

During marketing and advertising, don’t forget the importance of creating quality ads that showcase the best features of your app and using the right ad placement.

Leverage Social Media 

To make your app stand out and get more people to download now your app, you need to master the use of social media for app promotion.

You can start with social media ad campaigns that can help you target the right audience so that your app visibility increases.

You can then integrate social media into your apps in various forms including social media logins, invite a friend, in-app messaging, share on social media channels, etc.

These features can make an app more attractive and increase your chances of being noticed by users on social media.

Focus on App Store Optimization

Lastly, don’t forget about app store optimization because it is the most important thing to make your app more discoverable to users.

More than 2/3rd of app downloads come from organic search in app stores, therefore, you need to focus on app store optimization to make your app stand out.

Start by using a catchy app name and an attractive logo along with a target keyword in the app description.

Use the best screenshots that demonstrate the top features of the app. If possible, create a detailed animated video about the app to show what the app can provide to users.

Finally, pay special attention to users’ reviews and interact with all the users’ reviews that you receive.

[Featured Image by Photo by SCREEN POST]

The post How to Make Your Mobile App Stand Out in a Crowded App Market? appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This is aimed at steering a paradigm shift within the Nigerian educational ecosystem in a bid to champion educational accessibility and innovation.

The strategic launch of the ProjKonnect App aims to further contribute towards the development of a new generation of Nigerian youths, particularly university undergraduates, who are equipped with the required skill sets necessary to favourably compete in the 21st century.

This is made evident as the mobile app is built to creatively incorporate a set of advanced tools which enable corporate entities to contribute to its courses in order to make them match global industry standards while also providing Nigerian youths with the opportunity to gain practical experiences upon completion of the courses.

Commenting on the rationale behind the launch of the ProjKonnect App, Paul Ojo, the chief executive officer of ProjKonnect Integrated Systems Limited, noted that the core goal the organisation intends to achieve revolves around uplifting the Nigerian educational standards in order to propel the country’s youth into strategic roles across the global scene.

“The major driving force behind the creation of the ProjKonnect App reiterates our thorough commitment, as an edutech entity, towards the advancement of the Nigerian educational sector which is solely hinged on upskilling the competencies of an average Nigerian youth. This aligns with our overall objective which seeks to ensure that learning across our digital platforms matches either the academic or professional needs of every student nationwide. It is to this end that the app also leverages the power of artificial intelligence to effectively cater for the futuristic educational demands of Nigerian youths,” he said.

ProjKonnect transcends beyond being a generic educational platform as it utilises high-powered digital technologies to help bridge the skills gap that Nigerian youths need to be competitive in the global market.

The app is, therefore, designed to serve as a viable pipeline for the acquisition of soft skills for Nigerian youths.

The post ProjKonnect Seeks to Revolutionise Educational Development Through Personalised Learning appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

All the 5 top mobile banking Apps in Nigeria compiled by TechEconomy offer an aesthetic user interface and simplified access. Having any of these 5 top mobile banking Apps means carrying your bank in your pocket. You can perform transactions from anywhere.

These top 5 mobile banking Apps in Nigeria do not just make banking transactions easy and simplified. They also ensure that the user experience is top-notch. 

1. FirstMobile 

2. Zenith Bank App

3. GTWORLD Mobile App

4. Stanbic IBTC APP

5. Onebank by Sterling Bank

1. FirstMobile

FirstMobile is the official mobile banking App for those banking with FirstBank Nigeria. Just like a typical modern-day mobile banking in Nigeria, all that is needed is to download it from the Google Play Store or Apple Store and start banking. 

It was released in 2015 and has recorded over 5 million downloads. As of the time of filing this report, the latest FirstMobile App version is 2.7.0, with added features. 

Features Of the FirstMobile Banking App

Nice UI/UX Interface & Improved Dashboard – The FirstMobile App has an improved user interface that is intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, and interactive. Any top mobile banking App in Nigeria should have a more exciting interface and experience.

FirstMobile App already has a good user interface, and that also correlates with providing a more personalized and customizable experience dashboard.

The mobile banking App has lists of features that display the mobile banking user’s spending patterns.

Dashboard is personalized for transfers, bill payments, and airtime transactions by uploading pictures.

Previous Transactions: This feature smartly aggregates the most frequent transactions (Transfers, Airtime purchases, Bills payment) a user carries out based on historical data and presents it to the user in a friendly manner.

Top-up From Contact: Not all the mobile banking Apps in Nigeria have this feature. At least the GTWorld App at the time of writing this article does not have such a feature.

Biometrics: Any mobile bank in Nigeria should have fingerprint biometrics. The authentication automatically compares a user’s fingerprint to a stored fingerprint template to verify a user’s identity.

On the FirstMobile banking App, only Android users can use their fingerprints to consummate transactions.

With the eNaira being integrated with the mobile App, users can make transfers to and from the eNaira wallet.

It is important to note that FirstMobile is only usable by account holders who have Naira MasterCard and Verve cards.

2. Stanbic IBTC Mobile App

Any user can download the mobile banking app from the Google Play store for Android, the iOS App Store for Apple devices, and the Windows Store for Windows mobile phones.

Anybody can download the mobile App but will open an instant account or a @ease wallet with the mobile app in minutes.

The Stanbic IBTC was launched in 2016 and has recorded over 1 million downloads to date. The latest updated version of the mobile banking app when this report was filed in the Stanbic IBTC mobile app – #APPyness 2.0.

Features Of Stanbic IBTC Mobile Banking App

Accessibility – One striking feature of the Stanbic IBTC mobile banking App is that one does not have to be a customer of Stanbic IBTC to access and experience it.

Cross-Multiple Transactions – This mobile App provides opportunities for users to transact across a range of financial services.

Money transfers are both local and international.

Check account balance, and recharge airtime to all networks.

Buy data on all network bills payment (including paytv and electricity).

Manage all your accounts (including pension & mutual funds), and customer care.

Notifications of transactions manage atm cards & beneficiaries.

Monitor RSA balance

Quick access to funds price & newsletter.

Email your account statement.

3. Onebank

It ranks among the best five mobile banking Apps in Nigeria, Onebank; an App owned by Sterling Bank PLC. The App is taking the lead because it is well downloaded across platforms such as Google Play and Apple App Store and from a customer’s perspective, it is truly a ‘digitalized bank’.

With OneBank, a customer can get everything done without entering a branch. Any user can self-onboard. It will also require users to enter their BVN, upload documents, and start transacting.

Onebank mobile app is highly rated on Google Play Store and Apple Store. The app does not have any security challenges. 

Features Of One bank Mobile Banking App

Self-onboarding:  Stay in control and bank on your terms. Download, create an account, and transact all around the world from the convenience of your mobile phone.

Its features are easy to access and it is user-friendly.

Loans: Opportunities can sometimes be time-bound; that’s why OneBank offers quick loans of up to ₦5 million in 5 minutes.

While using the app, you get to enjoy a dynamic news feed, scrolling forex, and so many other features to look forward to.

Pay for airline tickets, cable, and Internet subscriptions and buy airtime seamlessly and conveniently.

Forex transfers: You’re unlimited and so should your funds. Transfer funds from your wallet or account to anywhere around the world within seconds on OneBank.

Investments: Stay ahead of the market and enjoy up to 100% returns on your Naira and Dollar investments via Double on OneBank

4. Zenith Mobile Banking App

With Zenith Bank’s mobile banking App, banking just got easier. The App is among our best five mobile banking App in Nigeria. It is among the most downloaded App across platforms such as Google PStorelay, Apple App Store, and Microsoft Store. It has over 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store.

Features Of Zenith Mobile Banking App

24/7 Livechat with our contact center ZenithDirect.

Log POS, Web, or ATM dispense errors.

Generate, share and save transaction receipts.

View Bill Payments history.

View transfer beneficiaries’ details.

View transaction mini-statements.

View all your accounts on your phone: Current, Savings, Domiciliary, Fixed Deposit, etc.

App is locked to the device preventing unauthorized use.

Validates NUBAN account numbers for error-free transfers.

Protected by two-factor authentication: Password and mobile PIN.

Pay bills directly from your bank account.

5. GTWorld

The GTWorld mobile banking app has made transactions with the bank as easy as it ever was. Imagine being able to purchase airtime, transfer airtime, money, etc.

GTWorld is a mobile banking app that is designed to cater to all that’s important to customers easily and seamlessly.

GTWorld is rated high on Google Play and Apple Store. About one million people have downloaded it.

Features Of GTWorld Mobile Banking App

Biometrics: Features biometric authentication, such as facial recognition and fingerprint, which recognizes a customer and adapts to how and when they want to bank.

Seamless switch to GAPS-Lite.

Flexible and secure channel to make payments and collections anywhere in the world.    

The post Top 5 Mobile Banking Apps in Nigeria [Features] appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Sudan is scheduled for 5pm kick-off on Saturday, January 15 at the Stade Omnisport Roumde Adjia in Yaounde.

Viewers at home can watch live on the StarTimes World Football channel in high definition picture quality.

Football fans can pay-per-day to enjoy the thrills at N200 for classic bouquet (antenna users) and N400 for super bouquet (dish users).

Super Eagles Fans can also watch online via the StarTimes-ON mobile app which costs just N400 weekly for sport VIP subscription.

Moses Simon, Joe Aribo and Kelechi Iheanacho were impressive in the game against Eqypt and a win against Sudan on Saturday would qualify Nigeria into the knockout stage, with a game to spare.

Sudan, meanwhile, were lucky against Guinea Bissau in their opening game after their opponents missed a penalty.

In head-to-head (h2h) history and results, both countries have met fourteen times, with Nigeria having eight wins, Sudan having two wins, and four draws.

The Super Eagles endured a dull build-up to the tournament. Following their dominant victory over Egypt’s Pharaohs, the Super Eagles have been installed as the overwhelming favourites to lift the Afcon title in Cameroon.

The post AFCON 2021 Live on StarTimes: Nigerians rekindle confidence in Super Eagles appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.