Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, has successfully concluded the Asaba edition of its ongoing TechConnect 4.0 event series, focused on promoting digital transformation and innovation in Nigeria’s financial sector.
Following a successful kick-off in Enugu last Thursday, the Asaba event at Bon Hotel brought together a diverse mix of industry professionals, stakeholders, and technology enthusiasts from the financial and technology sectors, to explore how digital solutions are transforming businesses and driving economic growth across Nigeria.
Themed “The Future of Microfinance – Digitalisation, Challenges, and Growth Opportunities,” the Asaba edition engaged attendees in thought-provoking discussions, offering valuable insights from industry leaders on how technology can drive the evolution of the microfinance sector in Nigeria.
In his keynote speech, titled ‘The Digital Transformation of Microfinance Banking: Challenges and Opportunities,’ Akeem Lawal, Managing Director, Payment Processing and Switching, Interswitch Purepay, represented by Emmanuel Nwokocha, Head of Sales, South-South, Interswitch, noted:
“Microfinance has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem, offering a range of financial services; yet challenges like high operational costs and limited scalability remain. Digitalisation provides an opportunity to overcome these hurdles by reducing service costs, enhancing customer engagement, and creating a more inclusive financial landscape.
At Interswitch, we are committed to a digital-first approach—leveraging mobile banking, AI-driven credit scoring, and cloud-based platforms to ensure microfinance institutions remain relevant and resilient in an increasingly digital world. To realise this potential, collaboration between financial institutions, fintechs, and regulators is essential, and this is where platforms like Interswitch’s TechConnect come into play, to continue to drive innovation and growth.”
The event featured keynote presentations, insightful discussions, and fireside chats that addressed both the challenges and opportunities in the microfinance sector. A major highlight was the panel session, titled, ‘Building Financial Resilience: The Intersection of Microfinance, Fintech, Fostering Business,’ where leading voices in technology, finance, and entrepreneurship discussed how to leverage technology for sustainable growth in microfinance. The panel emphasized fintech’s critical role in promoting financial resilience and driving business expansion.
In addition to the sessions, the event provided a valuable networking platform, allowing participants to exchange ideas, explore partnerships, and experience the latest technological advancements aimed at enhancing the operations of microfinance institutions.
Following successful events in Enugu and Asaba, the TechConnect series will head to Abuja, the nation’s capital, with subsequent stops in Ibadan, before culminating in a grand finale in Lagos. Each event will address region-specific challenges and opportunities while exploring the transformative impact of technology on Nigeria’s financial sector. This will promote collaboration between indigenous businesses and industry leaders to drive the adoption of cutting-edge technology solutions and build a more robust and sustainable digital economy.
Interswitch’s TechConnect event series highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to steering innovation in Africa’s financial sector. By bringing together industry experts, thought leaders, and key stakeholders, Interswitch aims to create a platform for meaningful conversations that pave the way for the growth of digital finance, ultimately empowering local economies.
