Orange, a major telecoms provider in Africa and the Middle East, and NSIA, a leader of bancassurance, have announced the launch of Orange Bank Africa in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Headed by Jean-Louis Menann-Kouamé, Orange Bank Africa will offer clients a range of simple savings and credit services available at all times via mobile phone.
In addition, Orange Bank Africa will address the needs of a large part of the population, often excluded from the world of conventional banking, allowing them to borrow and save small amounts that are nonetheless essential for their everyday lives.
Orange Bank Africa via its Orange Money service will offer a range of savings and micro credit services allowing customers to borrow as little as US$10 instantly using their mobile phone.
Orange’s mobile financial services strategy in Africa aims to offer solutions accessible to the broadest population regardless of their income or where they live. Orange Bank Africa intends to become a leader in ensuring financial inclusion in West Africa.
Stéphane Richard, Chairman and CEO, Orange, explained that: “New technology is needed to strengthen financial inclusion and support economic development, as proven by mobile money over the past few years. Banking is a new area of business for Orange in Africa. It falls squarely in line with our strategy as a multi-service operator and our desire to drive the Digital Transformation forward in Africa. Based on our association with NSIA, also a leader on the market in Africa, we provide easy access to bank services for as many people as possible, with simple and essential services that benefit all our clients.”
Jean Kacou Diagou, CEO, NSIA, added: “I am very pleased that the partnership between Orange and NSIA has resulted in the creation of Orange Bank Africa. For the past 25 years, NSIA Group has been developing bank and insurance solutions to address the needs of African people and make them available to as many people as possible. We know that electronic banking is vital for the financial inclusion of our customers. We are proud to have combined our expertise and human capital with that of Orange to create the fully digital Orange Bank Africa.”
Orange Bank Africa will expand into Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso.
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