MARCEL MBAMALU
In continuation of our last article on the CBN’s Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), we previously brought you ideas on how NIBSS has powered digital payments to new heights through its Instant Payment System (IPS). With support from AFRICANENDA, together with the World Bank and the European Economic Commission for Africa, NIBSS has demonstrated the inclusiveness, and accessibility of IPS to end users and operators.
As we have observed in part 1 of this series, the SIIPS study is consumer research involving “extensive in-country qualitative and quantitative research covering low-income adult individuals and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across seven countries: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia”.
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The qualitative techniques of in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and immersions to understand the “key drivers of shifting consumer behavior toward IIPS”. In this offering, we present a digest of SIIPS research results on consumer behaviour, perceptions, drivers and barriers to digital payments.
Qualitative study Outcomes
Through the qualitative techniques, the SIIPS 2022 report showed that “personal preference, the nature of transactions, and merchants’ acceptance of digital payments are among the key determinants of how payments are made.” Many buyers would prefer to use digital payment options, but are often forced to make other decisions based on prevailing circumstances such as whether a vendor has a digital account or the quantity of products purchased. Summarily, “key considerations for cash or mobile money usage include perceived speed and convenience, incentives, and better planning and management of finances”. This means that buyers and vendors alike are taking advantage of perceived benefits in the digital options such as simplicity of use, rewards from digital money providers, and the tendency to be more prudent in spending on the digital platform.
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Against the backdrop of these benefits, the SIIPS 2022 report also showed that consumers complained that “poor network connectivity and high transaction costs are the leading barriers to usage of digital payments among individuals and MSMEs” as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Barriers to digital payments
Solving the problems
Rising transaction charges, network connection problems, delayed transaction alerts and fear of fraud or scam are the most potent among customers. However, traceability of transactions, openness through the display of transfer beneficiary names and the use of passwords have increasingly offset most of these barriers. And as the barriers give way, the report concludes as follows:
- Cash is still widely used among individuals, though its use is declining among MSMEs. Small enterprise owners, especially, opt for using bank customer apps.
- Comparatively, Nigeria has a high level of trust and acceptance of digital payment through banking apps.
- The banking sector in Nigeria has been instrumental in growing the breadth and depth of digital payments through the different innovative solutions available in the market.
- Bank cards are a key digital payment channel used in Nigeria.
- Mobile money is not prevalent, though it is growing in use and acceptance.
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Some recommendations from user experiences
The report recommends increased effort at addressing customer concerns following user experiences, which should align with service offerings. The most important concerns arise because “customers feel that they pay double transaction charges for the same services from the same providers. For example, bank maintenance fees, bank transfer charges, bank mobile charges per transaction are all surcharged to the same account holder”. Access to customer care and representatives should be addressed digitally to sidestep delays.
In concluding the recommendations, the report reaffirms the call of the present article by asking “In your opinion, what should be done to make digital payments more instant and inclusive?” Just talk to your bank.
Dr Mbamalu, a Jefferson Fellow, is an Editor, Publisher and Communications Consultant. Follow on X: @marcelmbamalu
Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a distinguished communication scholar, journalist, and entrepreneur with three decades of experience in the media industry. He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and serves as the publisher of Prime Business Africa, a renowned multimedia news platform catering to Nigeria and Africa's socio-economic needs.
Dr. Mbamalu's journalism career spans over two decades, during which he honed his skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of senior editor. Notably, between 2018 and 2023, he collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Northeast Nigeria, training senior journalists on conflict reporting and health journalism.
Dr. Mbamalu's expertise has earned him international recognition. He was the sole African representative at the 2023 Jefferson Fellowship program, participating in a study tour of the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) on inclusion, income gaps, and migration issues.
In 2020, he was part of a global media team that covered the United States presidential election.
Dr. Mbamalu has attended prestigious media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and the Reuters/AfDB Training on "Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development in Africa."
As a columnist for The Punch Newspaper, with insightful articles published in other prominent Nigerian dailies, including ThisDay, Leadership, The Sun, and The Guardian, Dr. Mbamalu regularly provides in-depth analysis on socio-political and economic issues.
