Tag: Eco Bank

Ecobank Nigeria has advised its customers and stakeholders to stay safe online and boost their cybersecurity initiatives against the rising activities of cyber criminals.

In an email message to customers as part of the Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the bank enjoined its customers to integrate four key measures into their online practices to safeguard their personal data from digital threats.

These include, using strong passwords and (or) a password manager, turning on multifactor authentication, recognizing and reporting phishing and regular update of their phone or computer software.

The National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is usually celebrated in October of every year. It is a month-long effort dedicated to promoting cybersecurity awareness and education. It aims to empower individuals and organizations to take proactive steps in safeguarding their digital lives, assets, and sensitive information.

According to the bank, customers should be risk aware enough to recognise and report phishing, describing phishing as an attack that attempts to steal money, or identity, by getting bank customers to reveal personal information, such as credit card numbers, bank information, or passwords – via a phishing website or link that poses to be legitimate.

“Cybercriminals typically pretend to be reputable companies, friends, or relatives in a fake message. Be careful if you receive an email or message asking for personal information. If you get this type of message, don’t provide the requested information without confirming that it is legitimate.

“We also advise customers to always use multi-factor authentication to protect their bank accounts and confidential information.  Multi-factor authentication acts as an additional layer of security that helps prevent unauthorised users from accessing your accounts, even when the password has been stolen.

“Multi-factor authentication is a multi-step account login process that requires users to enter more information than just a password. For example, along with the password, users might be asked to enter a code sent to their mobile or email, answer a secret question, or scan a fingerprint,” the bank stated.

Further, Ecobank stressed the need for a strong password, “Your PIN, OTP and passwords should always be kept confidential. For strong passwords, consider using three random words, a mixture of capital letters, special characters and even numbers.

“In addition, you should update your apps and your device’s software as soon as they are available. Updates include protection from viruses and other kinds of malware and often improvements as well as new features.”

The Pan-African Bank noted that it continually runs awareness programmes to ensure employees and customers understand the various forms of cybercrime and how to prevent them, stressing that with digital banking remains a key pillar of its strategy.

“We must ensure our platforms are well secured to safeguard the integrity of our data.

The bank has invested heavily in training and various forms of capacity building to ensure staff understand cyber related challenges and address them promptly,” the statement added.

Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking Group, has restated its commitment to position as the ‘go to’ bank for payments and trade on the African continent.

Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking, Ecobank Group, Eric Odhiambo, who disclosed this at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair 2023 (IATF 2023) in Cairo, Egypt, said the bank’s digital platforms facilitate seamless payments and collections across the 35 countries where the Pan-African bank operates on the continent.

He said IATF 2023, the continent’s premier trade and investment event with the theme: Connecting African Markets provides a springboard for businesses to grow their intra-African trade and investments across the continent’s single market of 1.4 billion people created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“IATF provides Africa’s businesses with unrivalled opportunities to network, connect and sign contracts with buyers and sellers from across the continent.

“With our comprehensive suite of banking products, services, solutions and our established digital platform, which facilitates seamless payments and collections across our 35 countries of presence in Africa, Ecobank is positioned as the ‘go to’ bank for payments and trade.

To further support businesses to grow and succeed we have also put in place a range of initiatives which include the game-changing Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub, which connects importers and exporters across Africa.”

The Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub is a cutting-edge digital platform, which serves as an exchange and information repository, designed to respond to the evolving trading needs of SMEs and corporates within Africa’s single market. The Trade Hub reduces the asymmetry in trade information and leverages Ecobank’s wide client base, through its network advantage given its presence in 35 African markets.  With more than 2,000 customers on-boarded on the platform, the Trade Hub offers the following essential features and services:

MyTradeHub: An online match-making platform that enables importers and exporters to create their company profiles, exhibit their goods and services, and connect with buyers and suppliers throughout Africa.

AfCFTA Expertise: A valuable repository of knowledge and information on the African Continental Free Trade Area to help SMEs and other corporate organisations familiarise themselves with the single market and ways to expand their trade into new African markets.

Trade and Payment Solutions: A gateway to Ecobank’s full range of products and digital solutions, including trade finance and services, cash management solutions, domestic and cross-border payments and collections, investment banking and Capex financing, among others.

Ecobank’s additional solutions to facilitate intra-African trade include RapidCollect, which enables businesses to collect payments instantly and at low cost from their customers in 33 countries, whilst only needing one single account in their home country; and assisting businesses to gain an online presence and develop a free website through Google My Business Platform.

In addition, Ecobank will be acting as an inter-bank settlement agent for central banks in our countries of operation that have not yet signed up to Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

IATF 2023 promises to play a key role in raising awareness and helping Africa’s businesses to grasp the opportunities and benefits of the AfCFTA and create new markets across Africa, while fostering investments and boosting value chains.

The Ecobank Group is determined to continue to play a significant role in helping to achieve the objectives of the AfCFTA and is delighted to be a sponsor of the IATF2023.

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group has announced an interest rate of up to 9 percent to its SuperSavers Account holders.

A statement by the financial institution explained that the SuperSavers Account is a high-yield savings account type tailored for customers who wish to maximise their returns on savings, while benefiting from a customer-focused banking experience, adding that the six-month reward package will run from January to June 2024

Head of Premier Banking and Wealth Management, Ayodele Osolake, said the programme is part of the bank’s strategic initiatives to continuously encourage a savings culture that would enable its customers to earn more money to safeguard a better financial future.

“At Ecobank, we make it easy for our customers by providing a special high-yield account type to warehouse their funds securely instead of them falling prey to speculative and windy investment windows.  Beyond the high yield and financial safety, our clients retain the flexibility to access their funds when required,” she said.

Speaking further, she said: “Ecobank is mindful of the economic challenges and will constantly encourage our customers to hedge against possible future financial downturn enabling them to meet demands like tra

The SuperSavers Account, which comes in local and foreign currency variants, encourages them to save and build their wealth simultaneously. It is packaged in such a way that customers would benefit immensely. I want to encourage our new and existing customers to make the best of this opportunity.”

Osolake also explained that to qualify for the additional interest rate, customers need to open and fund their SuperSavers Naira Account, with a minimum deposit of N500,000, while building the account up gradually, adding that customers could still retain access to their funds being entitled to two  withdrawals per month without losing the benefit of the SuperSavers interest rate.

Operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country have been advised to leverage on eCommerce to boost sales and grow their businesses in a sustainable and profitable manner.

Chief Commercial Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Ijeoma Arum, stated this in her presentation at a Webinar titled: Growing Your Business, which she presented at the maiden edition of Ecobank Nigeria’s MySME Growth Series.

The MySME Growth Series is an innovative training programme of Ecobank Nigeria targeted at empowering SMEs operators in the country. Under the initiative, the bank aims to train over one million SME operators across the country in 2024.

Arum observed that small and medium-sized businesses in Africa are faced with challenges such as access to limited financing, stiff competition from established brands and regulatory compliance, noting that technology has the potential to transform the subsector.

She stressed that eCommerce increases reach and awareness of products and services, allows businesses to gain valuable insights into customer behavior and could be used to create targeted marketing campaigns and personalised experiences.

Insisting that eCommerce allows customers to shop at their convenience, day or night, she added that small businesses could also streamline their sales processes to reduce overhead cost and achieve greater profitability.

She further noted that the eCommerce experiences constant disruption with social media platforms and other sites competing for wallet share and purchase frequency, inconsistent stock supplies and lack of trust, stressing that “overall, quality, price, delivery fee, and delivery waiting time are found to be some of the most important factors for consumers when choosing a shopping experience.”

Speaking earlier, Head, SMEs and Partnerships, Ecobank Nigeria, Osahon Akpata, said the Webinar series is in line with the bank’s commitment to power the success of SMEs in different sectors of the economy.

His words: “Ecobank aims to train one million SMEs in Nigeria to improve their capabilities and stimulate growth. We are launching the first phase of our training programme–MySME Growth Series, a selection of virtual bootcamps led by facilitators who are experts in their various fields.

“SMEs are the growth engine of Nigeria’s economy contributing almost 50 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 90 percent of jobs. As a bank that is focused on growth, Ecobank is committed to the success of SMEs in different sectors of the economy.”

He also disclosed that with an overall theme: Scaling Up Your SME in 2024, the Webinar will hold every other Thursday throughout the year. In addition, Akpata explained that the series will dwell on various topics that cover key areas of concern for small businesses such as accounting, credit, sales and marketing, taxation and inventory management, adding that the Bank is also planning to launch an SMEs Mentorship programme to collaborate with successful entrepreneurs.

“We will also equip SMEs with tools to help their business such as budget templates, calculators for simulating scenarios and links to government forms. They will be trained on resources for starting a business including how to register, market opportunities and key points to consider when running a business.

“We will also provide articles on key topics including tips to increase sales, advertising ideas, business management practices, case studies and guides to leveraging technology, among others,” he concluded.

Operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country have been advised to leverage on eCommerce to boost sales and grow their businesses in a sustainable and profitable manner.

Chief Commercial Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Ijeoma Arum, stated this in her presentation at a Webinar titled: Growing Your Business, which she presented at the maiden edition of Ecobank Nigeria’s MySME Growth Series.

The MySME Growth Series is an innovative training programme of Ecobank Nigeria targeted at empowering SMEs operators in the country. Under the initiative, the bank aims to train over one million SME operators across the country in 2024.

Arum observed that small and medium-sized businesses in Africa are faced with challenges such as access to limited financing, stiff competition from established brands and regulatory compliance, noting that technology has the potential to transform the subsector.

She stressed that eCommerce increases reach and awareness of products and services, allows businesses to gain valuable insights into customer behavior and could be used to create targeted marketing campaigns and personalised experiences.

Insisting that eCommerce allows customers to shop at their convenience, day or night, she added that small businesses could also streamline their sales processes to reduce overhead cost and achieve greater profitability.

She further noted that the eCommerce experiences constant disruption with social media platforms and other sites competing for wallet share and purchase frequency, inconsistent stock supplies and lack of trust, stressing that “overall, quality, price, delivery fee, and delivery waiting time are found to be some of the most important factors for consumers when choosing a shopping experience.”

Speaking earlier, Head, SMEs and Partnerships, Ecobank Nigeria, Osahon Akpata, said the Webinar series is in line with the bank’s commitment to power the success of SMEs in different sectors of the economy.

His words: “Ecobank aims to train one million SMEs in Nigeria to improve their capabilities and stimulate growth. We are launching the first phase of our training programme–MySME Growth Series, a selection of virtual bootcamps led by facilitators who are experts in their various fields.

“SMEs are the growth engine of Nigeria’s economy contributing almost 50 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 90 percent of jobs. As a bank that is focused on growth, Ecobank is committed to the success of SMEs in different sectors of the economy.”

He also disclosed that with an overall theme: Scaling Up Your SME in 2024, the Webinar will hold every other Thursday throughout the year. In addition, Akpata explained that the series will dwell on various topics that cover key areas of concern for small businesses such as accounting, credit, sales and marketing, taxation and inventory management, adding that the Bank is also planning to launch an SMEs Mentorship programme to collaborate with successful entrepreneurs.

“We will also equip SMEs with tools to help their business such as budget templates, calculators for simulating scenarios and links to government forms. They will be trained on resources for starting a business including how to register, market opportunities and key points to consider when running a business.

“We will also provide articles on key topics including tips to increase sales, advertising ideas, business management practices, case studies and guides to leveraging technology, among others,” he concluded.

Against the backdrop of the migration of Nigerian professionals, commonly regarded as the ‘japa syndrome’ to developed countries of the world, a human resource expert and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the African Talent Company, Hilda Kabushenga, has said although the factors are beyond organisations, managing talents within the context of new work realities would check the trend.

Kabushenga, who made this assertion in her presentation titled: Finding Skilled Labour In The Japa Era at Ecobank Nigeria’s MySME Growth Series recently, pointed out that people were no longer looking for physical employment contracts, but “psychological contracts of experience,” adding that employers who want to hold on to their competent and highly productive employees will have to embrace what she described as “the future of work.”

The MySME Growth Series is an innovative training programme of Ecobank Nigeria targeted at empowering SME operators in the country. Under this initiative, the Bank aims to train over one million SME operators across the country in the 2024 fiscal year.

According to her, organisations should initiate staff retention from the recruitment stage by having a candidate pipeline for critical departments and have an honest conversation about long term career plans during the interview process.

“If possible, hire an ‘heir and a spare’ – somebody to shadow critical talent and learn the ropes from them.” Stay engaged between when the offer is made and when talent is to resume-a lot can happen in a very short period. Focus on gaining buy-in to your company vision during onboarding and lay out a clear path for growth and development internally,” she stated.

Kabushenga further urged organisations to set up better reward systems such as profit sharing and milestone bonuses to entice employees and increase overall job satisfaction; incorporate flexible work modes; create a sense of belonging; prioritise initiatives like open communication and foster connections between the leadership teams and the entire workforce.

To manage strategic staff effectively, she opined that firms deepen their talent bench by “building not buying” personnel, tailor learning and development initiatives that are a win-win for all, have a solid succession planning system, be open to negotiations and maintain an enduring relationship.

Ecobank Nigeria has disclosed that plans have been concluded to host the third edition of ‘Adire Lagos Experience,’ saying the planned four-day exhibition will take place at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) on Victoria Island, Lagos from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 17, 2024.

Head, Consumer Banking, Mrs. Adeola Ogunyemi, who announced the programme in Lagos, at the weekend, said the exhibition will feature authentic Adire fabric displays from over 100 diverse merchants, indigenous cuisine and African entertainment, adding that there will be series of master classes, as well as networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, shoppers, and everyone in the business of making or trading in Adire.

“We are encouraged with the success of the previous editions of the ‘Adire Lagos Experience’ and we plan to make this year’s edition bigger and better. The exhibition is in line with our brand promise as a pan-African financial institution to promote culture and boost tourism on the continent.

“We have through this opportunity been playing a notable part in contributing to boost Nigeria’s tourism, culture and the creative industry using Adire as a key driver.

High profile exhibitors, vendors, expatriates, influencers and dignitaries from different parts of the world and from all walks of life have indicated interest to participate in the event. I am therefore inviting Nigerians, Diasporans resident in Nigeria and the diplomatic corps to attend the event,” she stated.

Ogunyemi further restated that the exhibition aligns perfectly with the Ecobank’s commitment as a Pan-African Institution to offer experiences beyond banking and also dedicated to creating enriching experiences that resonate with its customers’ lifestyles while celebrating the diversity of our nation’s culture.

“We are providing a cozy ambience with utmost serenity to make participants feel comfortable and safe. Participation is free and everyone is welcome to invite family and friends to come over to witness the beautiful event. This Exhibition also presents an opportunity not only to sell and buy products but to experience the luxuriance in our culture,” she added.

Top government officials from Lagos, Ogun and other neighbouring states and stakeholders in Adire business, are expected to grace the occasion.

It would be recalled that Ecobank Nigeria, a key driver of tourism, culture and the creative industries in Nigeria recently hosted the +234Art, a 10-day art fair dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry in Nigeria.

The fair provided a platform to support emerging artists and encourage increased interest in art acquisition. The bank also organized the Photography, Art and Design Exhibition (PADE) to commemorate the World Photography Day in 2022.

It equally partnered “Songs & Stories” With Cobhams Asuquo;  Redbull Dance Your Style; BellaNaija Style Summit and Loosing Daylight (An exhibition of the history of Nollywood organised by Nse Ikpe-Etim).