At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” Chika Nwosu, PalmPay’s managing director, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.

Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.

Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.

“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said.

He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.

The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption.

Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.

The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.

PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians.

PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.

PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.

Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users.

PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.

Unveiled at a press briefing on July 23, the 8th edition, dubbed “The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future”, aims to bring together over 20,000 participants from across sectors and regions.

Organised by the Fintech Association of Nigeria, NFW25 will explore how coordinated efforts between government, startups, corporates, and investors can fast-track innovation and financial inclusion across the continent.

“This is no longer just an event. It’s a movement,” said Dr. Stanley Jacob, president of the Fintech Association of Nigeria. “NFW25 will be where new partnerships are forged, sectors transformed, and the future of Nigeria’s digital economy is composed like a symphony.”

For the first time, Nigeria Fintech Week will span multiple locations, Abuja, Delta, and Enugu, before culminating at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.

The multi-city format is designed to widen participation and showcase the reach of fintech across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

According to Dr. Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, vice president and chair of the Organising Committee, the expansion reinforces NFW’s commitment to accessibility and grassroots innovation. “Fintech is for everyone now, from farmers to students, from SMEs to regulators,” she said.

Uche Uzoebo, CEO of the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities Limited (SANEF) added, “Even churches, schools, and food vendors are digitising. NFW25 is where they’ll find solutions, partners, and tools to grow.”

Nigeria Fintech Week has grown since 2017 into Africa’s leading fintech gathering, driving policy shifts, investment, and digital transformation.

With this year’s expansive approach, the stage is set to orchestrate an even more inclusive and impactful digital future.

According to the World Bank report, a significant portion of the global adult population remains unbanked.

Specifically, 27% of adults globally are considered unbanked, and an additional 50% are underbanked, defined as lacking a credit card, according to Lucidity Insights.

By investing in awareness, robust digital ID systems, interoperable payment rails, and inclusive policy frameworks, stakeholders can expand access to financial services, particularly in underserved regions, and reduce the global unbanked population significantly.

Stakeholders who gathered at the Regtech Conference 2025 discussed these strategies and more, especially facilitating cross-border payments and investment opportunities across Africa.

The event featured a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Uche Uzoebo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF) Limited.

The panel discussion themed, “From Borders to Bridges: Leveraging Digital Infrastructure to Drive Financial Inclusion through a Multi-Stakeholder Approach”, brought together diverse voices across banking, fintech, policy, and government to explore how digital infrastructure can be annexed to drive financial inclusion.

Uche Uzoebo highlighted how women often face unique challenges in accessing financial services coupled with limited digital literacy and cultural barriers.

She engaged the panelists to discuss targeted interventions aimed at promoting gender inclusivity in the financial sector and effective financial education programs that empower individuals to utilize digital financial services.

Jacqueline Mpare, Head of Agency Banking, Ecobank Group, highlighted how her organization had established a women-focused initiative to provide support to businesses targeted at women and those with women as part of the leadership by providing them with access to finance and non-financial support.

Isa Aliyushata, Regional Advisor, Africa, Corum Group Limited, stressed the need to inculcate financial literacy into the education curriculum to ensure everyone is exposed to the knowledge of financial literacy from a young age.

The panelists include Ajibade Laolu-Adewale, Chief Partnership & Ecosystems Officer, Wema Bank; Gerald Munyaradzi Nyakwawa, Head of Digital Channels, MoneyMart Finance (Private) Limited, Zimbabwe; Dr. Henry Clarke Kisembo, Group Global Lead and Executive Chairman, Development Associates Link International (DALI); Jacqueline Mpare, Head of Agency Banking, Ecobank Group; Jean Jacques Kajuga, Chief Operations Officer, RSwitch Rwanda; and Isa Aliyushata, Regional Advisor, Africa, Corum Group Limited.

The panelists emphasized collaboration, leading by example, speed and legislative alignment, a unified infrastructure payment system, and collaboration between national and regional switchers to allow a low-cost cross-border payment as key to ensuring financial inclusion.

Meanwhile, her organization, Shared Agency Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF), was honored with the title of 2025 Financial Literacy Champion at the RegTech Awards.

This prestigious recognition highlights SANEF’s steadfast commitment to promoting financial literacy and enhancing financial inclusion across Nigeria.

Through strategic partnerships, the expansion of agent networks nationwide, and impactful educational programs, SANEF continues to equip millions with the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions.

This partnership according Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, president/chairman of Council, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, is timely and strategic, “as we aim to broaden the reach of the certification across Nigeria’s agent banking sector.

With SANEF’s deep integration in the financial inclusion ecosystem and established relationships with leading super agents, we are confident that this collaboration will strengthen the quality and visibility of the programme.

“The goal is clear, to enhance professionalism among agent bankers, support the national financial inclusion strategy, and contribute to building trust and integrity within this growing segment of the financial services sector. This collaboration presents an excellent opportunity for further implementation of the competency framework for the banking industry in Nigeria”.

He noted that the collaboration among others is part of his LEGACY agenda which highlights the multifaceted role of financial institutions in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.

The letter C in the LEGACY agenda refers to Competence in the banking and Finance industry, which is a very crucial factor in the banking and finance sector.

Competent individuals in this industry are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage financial resources. Individuals with expertise in this field can contribute to the growth and stability of the economy.

Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, managing director/chief executive officer, Shared Agency Network Expansion Facilities, SANEF, described the memorandum of Understanding, MoU, as a visionary partnership that seeks to expand Financial Inclusion through Agent banking training, Financial Literacy and knowledge impartation, an objective that forms a key pivot of what SANEF represents.

“Over the years, SANEF, in strong collaboration with our key stakeholders, Banks and Licenced Super-Agents/Mobile Money Operators and other Financial Service Providers, have continued to deepen the frontiers of Financial Inclusion and agent bank. Financial Literacy and training have remained a key part of this objective.

“This MOU ceremony is a fulfillment of a shared vision through the expansion of Agent Banking, Financial Literacy, capacity building, thought leadership, training and competency.

She further explained that the agreement provides a training structure with well-curated and knowledge filled training modules and materials that will deepen the knowledge and capacity in agent banking.

“It will go ahead to deepen and expand the knowledge and capacity of all participants that will take part in this training and we believe that with the quality and cooperation of all parties present, this very important objective of impartation of knowledge and thought leadership, grooming and training minds to be empowered and learned and contributing our quota to nation building and be a better place,” she added.

PAFON 2.0 will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at the Function Room 1, Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Lagos by 9am (WAT).

Register here to attend: https://shorturl.at/IPOjA

The keynote speaker alongside the special guest, Uche Uzoebo, the MD/CEO of SANEF, and others lined-up for the Forum, will focus on the theme: “Bridging the Customer Experience Gap for Financial Inclusion Using AI”, which underscores the urgent need to safeguard digital transactions against emerging threats while ensuring seamless financial inclusion and innovation.

Mrs Momoh is leading AfriGO vision to deliver a seamless, secure and efficient payment card scheme which facilitate faster transactions, reduce card operating costs to enhance the overall user experience for stakeholders, partners, and cardholders.

With over 30 years of progressive leadership experience in the Nigerian financial and payment industry, she has a distinguished career marked by strategic vision and a commitment to delivering exceptional results.

She has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive large-scale operations, enhance profit and loss growth, and lead high-performance teams.

Also, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo is a passionate and renowned expert in financial inclusion, digital transformation, inclusive finance and women empowerment in Nigeria.

Under her leadership, SANEF Limited is committed to achieving excellence, greater growth, development and expansion to stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Speaking ahead of PAFON 2.0, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, the co-convener, said that PAFON 2.0 is open to payment service providers, fintech firms, banks, regulatory bodies, cybersecurity experts, and all stakeholders invested in the future of digital transactions in Nigeria.

Attendance

Register to Attend: https://shorturl.at/IPOjA 

Mrs. Uche Uzoebo succeeds Mrs. Ronke Kuye, who was the pioneer Chief Executive Officer and under whose leadership SANEF Limited experienced growth and success in its core mandate of expanding and deepening Financial Inclusion and Agent Banking.

Uzoebo brings extensive experience, knowledge and expertise to her new role.

Prior to her appointment, she served as the Chief Distribution and Stakeholder Engagement Officer of SANEF Limited since inception and is credited with driving business, stakeholder expansion and strategic initiatives that has enabled the organization to meet its core objectives through Agent Expansion; Account Opening; Product & Services; Technology Solutions; Policy Advocacy; Stakeholder Engagement, Financial Literacy, Capacity Building and Awareness.

As the Chief Distribution and Stakeholder Engagement Officer of SANEF Limited, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo also collaborated closely with regulators, banks, financial service providers, developmental organizations, enterprise support organizations, non-governmental organizations, private sector, government agencies to expand financial access points, digital financial services, economic and financial inclusion through agent networks, financial literacy and innovative technology solutions.

Uche is a passionate and renowned expert in financial inclusion, digital transformation, inclusive finance and women empowerment in Nigeria.

With over two decades of cognate experience in banking and financial services, she has established herself as a thought leader and passionate advocate for financial literacy and advocacy, training, inclusive finance, women empowerment and breaking economic barriers.

Her strong business acumen and leadership qualities have driven the advancement of digital financial services, economic and financial inclusion in the ecosystem.

Mrs. Uche Uzoebo has led strategic project initiatives focused on expanding economic inclusion and diligently worked on empowering women as a gender specialist and advocate with special focus on supporting women entrepreneurs; digitally transformed businesses and society.

As a reputable certified trainer, Uche has delivered high-impact training and well-tailored programmes to deepen knowledge and thought leadership.

She has also contributed to published works, spoken at fintech and finance related conferences, thereby providing a strong voice in advancing financial inclusion and digital payment.

Her practice engagements involve policy and strategic management interventions. Under her leadership, SANEF Limited is committed to achieving excellence, greater growth, development and expansion to stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Uche is a certified Product Manager, certified Licensed National Business Development Service Provider (BDSP), member of the Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM), Global Women in Management (GWIM), Honorary Senior Member (HCIB) – the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), a fellow of Acumen, West Africa and a fellow of The Microfinance Association, UK.

SANEF serves as an enabler in the economic and financial inclusion ecosystem in Nigeria, collaborating with various Stakeholders to expand the frontiers of Financial Inclusion.