Ecobank Uganda’s game-changing mobile app has attracted 32,000 customers in a short period of time as the Pan-African bank takes centre stage in Uganda’s online banking market.
The app that has been applauded for revolutionizing banking in Africa combats many of the financial inclusion barriers such as dearth of rural branches, affordability of products, high transaction costs and minimum opening balance requirements.
In an interview with Business Focus, Primrose Kobusingye, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Ecobank Uganda said: “We have attracted 29,000 new customers in a period of three months, taking the total number of users to 32,000.”
She said Ugandans have embraced the app because it is flexible.
“…One doesn’t have to be an Ecobank account holder to open an Ecobank Xpress Account and use the mobile app; it is available for both Ecobank customers and non-customers,” Kobusingye said, adding: “We are making it seamless and accessible to all people with a mobile phone.”
She added that the bank is targeting 150,000 users of the app by end of year and they are optimistic that it will be achieved considering the fact that more Ugandans are embracing it.
How To Open The Account
In a recent interview, Jael Christine Wawulira, the Manager-Consumer Banking at Ecobank Uganda revealed explained how easy it is to open the account.
“… For Ecobank customers, all you need is your National ID Number to open the account. For customers from other banks, all they need is their National ID Number and Visa Card Number,” Wawulira says, adding: “You can open an Xpress account instantly on your mobile phone with zero account fees, zero paperwork and no minimum balance.”
The Ecobank Mobile App is available for download from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.
With the Xpress account, Wawulira said one can transfer money within Ecobank and to any other bank within Uganda.
“The app is an industry game-changer because it is reliable and convenient. One can pay or send someone money using a token. All you need is to initiate the token off the mobile app and send it to the person you’re paying or giving money. Thereafter, the payee goes to a nearby Ecobank ATM within two days and withdraws the money,” she said, adding that it is cheaper because the recipient is not charged for withdrawing money from the ATM.
“A customer can also check their account balance and loan status,” Wawulira said, adding that customers can also use the app to buy MTN, Airtel and Africell airtime.
One can also shop at Ecobank merchant points without cash but using Ecobank pay (formerly known as Masterpass) by simply scanning the QR code that is available at Ecobank merchant points.
Ecobank Uganda Managing Director, Clement Dodoo said that they keep upgrading the app from time to time by adding more services and releasing faster versions.
“We developed it to offer solutions to the people,” Dodoo said.
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