Leading digital payment solutions provider Network International has announced it will bring WhatsApp for Business banking services to financial institutions across Africa through a landmark collaboration with Infobip. The full-stack cloud communications company is one of the world’s largest providers of A2P SMS services and will support Network International in its commitment to financial inclusion across Africa.
In addition to helping financial institutions reach their customers through a familiar and reliable channel, the agreement will help them deliver world-class support and seamless services in a personal, timely, and reliable manner. For individuals this means people can access their money securely and quickly, as well as utilising the latest chatbot technology to help empower customers to take control of their finances.
Commenting on the deal, Network International’s Hany Fekry, Group Managing Director – Processing, said, “We are delighted to introduce WhatsApp banking across Africa with Infobip. Helping financial institutions reach customers through a secure and familiar app is in line with our goal to increase and improve digital banking services across the continent to improve financial inclusion.”
Hana Bilbeisi, Regional Head of Partnerships Sales, Infobip further added, “We are delighted to have joined forces with Network International. Empowering individuals and communities through technology and communication is one of our key values at Infobip. By integrating WhatsApp Business API, Network International customers can now access crucial information anytime, anywhere.”
Network International is a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa, providing a full suite of technology-enabled payment solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes. With offices in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt, Network International has a presence across Africa’s key markets, and the business operates across almost all other African countries.
Network International has worked closely with governments and financial institutions in Africa to promote financial inclusion, helping to drive digitisation through innovative products and collaborations such as this one. Earlier this year Network International announced a 33% increase in year-on-year revenue for Q1 2022, and in 2021, Network International acquired DPO Group in a landmark deal for the African payments landscape.
Network International
Network International comprises a group of companies and is the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, providing a full suite of technology-enabled payments solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes, including acquiring and processing services and a comprehensive ever-evolving range of value-added services. Network International Holdings Plc (LSE: NETW) is the holding company for Network International and the group companies, including the DPO Group.
Infobip
Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connections across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip’s omnichannel engagement, contact center, chatbot and identity solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty.
With over fifteen years of industry experience, Infobip has expanded to 70+ offices across six continents. It offers natively built technology with the capacity to reach over seven billion mobile devices and ‘things’ in 190+ countries, connected directly to over 700 telecom networks. Infobip was established in 2006 and is led by its co-founders, CEO Silvio Kutić, Roberto Kutić and Izabel Jelenić.
Recent recognition includes:
- Omdia Ranks Infobip as Leader in CPaaS Universe Report (May 2022)
- Infobip recognised as the established leader in Juniper’s Competitor Leaderboard for CPaaS, 2021
- Infobip ranked leading service provider in the mobile messaging space by Juniper Research in its new Competitor Leaderboard, 2021
- Infobip named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) 2021 Vendor Assessment (doc #US46746221, May 2021)
- Best A2P SMS provider for the fourth year running by mobile operators and enterprises in ROCCO’s annual Messaging Vendor Benchmarking Report 2021
- Best CPaaS Provider of the Year, Best RCS Provider of the Year, and Mover & Shaker in Telco Innovation at the 2021 Juniper Digital Awards
