The over 46.9 million unbanked Nigerians need empowerment, they need to communicate and transact businesses just like other Nigerians, otherwise the touted financial inclusion, would only remain a mere rhetoric.
However, financial technology solutions provider, Inlaks, is paving the way with a solar powered mobile branch solution, which it claimed could eliminate the constraints associated with brick and mortar bank branches.
The mobile bank branch solution is totally self-contained for power and security, as a mobile unit is an integral part of a bank’s disaster recovery plan as well as an enhancement to a bank’s existing ISO 22301 (BCMS) certification.
Some features incorporated into the mobile unit include a CCTV camera positioned at strategic positions, burglar alarm system, state of the art fire system, a 3kVA Xantrex Inverter, a backup system with batteries, rack, connectors, provision of a solar system for power source and a power generator. Others include provision of PHCN power source, inverter air conditioner and photo sensor lightings for security lights, to mention a few.
According to Director, Infrastructure Business, Inlaks, Tope Dare, the solution will enable financial institutions to overcome the challenges of growth, operational efficiency and responsibility to deliver the highest quality, even in the remotest areas.
It will also promote self-service consumer experience and project the strongest brand image to minimize costs and complexity of maintaining and managing self-service channels.
Dare said, “This mobile solution has been designed to provide customers convenient access to cash at remote locations as well as busy areas without physical bank structures. The vehicle can be dispatched to specific locations to provide a second or third ATM during events such as trade fairs, festivals, exhibitions, conferences amongst other events. With our unique mobile branch solution, African banks will not be required to have physical branches before enrolling millions of their unbanked population, as the mobile banking platform will provide a cost effective method to service smaller or targeted markets.”
Explaining how the company is working with banks to reach the unbanked, Dare said Inlaks will collaborate with financial institutions who plan to establish new branches to open on-site with the solar powered Mobile solution while their permanent branch is still under construction”.
Quite an innovative long stride. This will help villagers as well as Corpers posted in remote villages in Nigeria.