BPR revamps mobile banking app and add business functions

Banque Populaire du Rwanda Plc has made adjustments to its mobile banking application for improved user experience among business banking customers ensuring convenience and experience.

Previously, the application was limited to personal banking customers. The adjustments introduced features for business banking to cater for the needs of the business banking segment (SME customers).

The development will allow business-banking customers (SME customers) to do a host of banking services on the App including enabling access to multiple individuals on their accounts, and assign their roles based on the business structure or needs.

The roles assigned include inputters, approvers, viewers, super users and the amount limits among others.

This, the bank says, is part of ongoing efforts to put digital at the front of service roll out to ensure customers are offered greater convenience and experience.

This saw them address concerns to respond to their business clients as previously the app was limited to personal banking services.

To access the application, business banking customers are required to fill in the registration forms (available at the branch), then proceed to download the application (BPR Mobile App) available on App Store (for iOS users) and Play Store (for Android users).

On the platform, business clients can access a wide range of banking services including managing their accounts (checking account balances), downloading their bank statements, making transfers in BPR accounts and to other commercial banks in all currencies.

Users are also able to push and pull money to MTN and Airtel wallets, pay Rwanda Revenue Taxes, pay bills and manage beneficiaries among other tasks.

Electronic transactions have grown at the bank with over 80 per cent of the number of customer transactions being done over electronic banking channels.

BPR Plc which is the largest in network outreach, has been constantly introducing new digital services as well as adjusting existing ones to improve user convenience.

This includes mobile and internet banking platforms, which allows people to transact and do a host of banking services on their mobile phone, computer or other electronic gadgets as well as enabling new clients (non BPR clients) to open bank accounts and start transacting instantly, among other things.

www.bpr.rw

Rwanda National Post Office embrace codified addressing system for mail deliveries

The National Post Office (Iposita) has adopted a codified addressing system that will make it possible for them to deliver packages and mails to the exact locations by use of grid code technology.

Just like many companies that do commodity deliveries in Rwanda, Iposita has been depending on the street numbers established by government, or make phone calls to parcel recipients for directions.

However, this was challenging in terms of time and ease with which deliveries would be done, especially in areas where house numbers have not been assigned, says Patrick Safari, the Director of the Commercial Department at Iposita.

“When you are delivering parcels in the country, you are faced with the challenge of identifying the exact location where you should meet the recipient. This is because, in peri-urban and rural areas, there are plots in which the street addressing system has not yet been established. In addition, there are rural places where Google Maps does not work,” he said.

“And so, when making deliveries, our drivers are forced to call the recipients and ask, ‘Where are you?'” he added.

However, this is set to change with the new system which is capable of providing location of every Rwandan by use of a digitized address.

To use the service, Iposita’s clients will have to use a smartphone application provided by Akutari Limited, a Nigerian firm that is partnering with Iposita to deliver the technology.

After opening the app, the client will be required to undertake an easy registration process, feeding in a few details like their names and phone numbers.

Using the phone’s GPS, the app will locate the house, office or compound where the person is standing while registering and will generate a grid code for that location.

According to Iposita, Rwandans and foreign residents can voluntarily sign up to obtain an address.

Safari said that Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority has already given the technology a go-ahead and that Iposita will be undertaking training for its drivers and staff on how to use it, as well as sensitizing the public about it before it can go operational – hopefully this year.

In addition to this, Iposita has to incorporate this technology into their system, before they will start to do deliveries using it.

Under the system, every home and office even in a multi-story facility can have their own grid code – and this will assist them to have their parcel deliveries at their doors.

Speaking about its safety, Safari said that it is a patented technology, and that Akutari has been asked to keep all the information of people in Rwanda on a server within the country.

“As an operation requirement, we agreed with Akutari that people’s data has to be stored on a server in the country, under the authorization of RISA for privacy and protection of personal data,” he said.

Meanwhile, in March last year during the lockdown, Iposita launched delivery services for essential products to people in the City of Kigali, and this is still going on.

i-posita.rw 

[Interview] Lionel Mpfizi, CEO, Awesomity Lab, Rwanda


Lionel Mpfizi is the CEO of Awesomity Lab, an award-winning software development company based in Kigali, Rwanda. 

Could you introduce Awesomity Lab and where the name itself comes from? 

Awesomity Lab is an award-winning software development company based in Kigali, Rwanda.

The name Awesomity comes from the phrase AWESOME CREATIVITY. Founded just 5 years ago by four young entrepreneurs, Awesomity has gone on to develop solutions for more than a dozen clients all over Africa and Europe. Awesomity specializes in building mobile applications and web platforms with the focus of always creating the perfect user-centered design for our clients.

When and why was it set up?

Awesomity was founded in 2015 and deyond just developing software, Our vision is to promote Rwandan-made IT solutions tailored for Rwandan challenges. Awesomity’s team has sourced out 14 of the best local talent in programmers and designers who truly understand the Rwandan way to approach a challenge and develop a solution to it. Which is why we pride ourselves on our richly designed and intuitive Made in Rwanda software applications.

How has the market responded to your services? Why do you think that is so?

The market response has been great so far, In the last 5 years, Awesomity has had the chance to develop a variety of solutions in diverse sectors. Most notably, creating Rwanda’s first ride-hailing service in partnership with Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda which has completed over 150,000 rides since launching in 2019 and spearheading the development and redesign of all government websites in Rwanda, starting with all ministries, embassies and district offices.

Rwanda is the perfect place for a business like ours, I believe on of the reasons behind the our success in this market is our understanding of it, and the creativity and talent we bring to the table.

What is the uniqueness of Awesomity Lab from other tech-companies?

Awesomity is renowned for skill, hard work, creativity and user experience that goes unbeaten in the region. Our client’s projects become our projects and we work hand in hand from start to finish.

We have created quite a unique process of approaching client projects that helps them get the best value for their money. This process keeps being improved with every new project we work on and I believe this is what helps us keep up with the competition.

How do you find competition in your industry? 

The software development scene in Rwanda is rapidly growing and more and more companies are enterring the space. We however do try to deliver better quality and create strong relationships with our clients. One of our biggest advantages is that we have been here longer and the experience collected over these years has helped our team become stronger than most of the competition.

What are some of the proud moments of Awesomity Lab?

Over time, Awesomity has received a lot of recognition for the amazing work we have been doing. In 2016, Awesomity was awarded 1st runner up prize in Seedstars Kigali Chapter, in 2018 Awesomity took home the Gov UI/UX Challenge which took it into a contract for developing the Gov platforms the next year.

In 2019 Awesomity was recognized for its standards and best practices in software development and was award one of the three Rwanda Tech-Seals. At the beginning of 2020, Awesomity received a business excellence award from RDB as the young entrepreneur of the year.

What are Awesomity Lab’s biggest plans for 2021?

This year we are planning on expanding our portfolion with more consumer facing apps and enterring new fields such as fintech. But everything is still in the early planning phases at the moment. 

We also recently started the second TaskForce cohort, which is our unique onboarding process where interns go through a 7 weeks bootcamp specially designed to upskill them in both soft and technical team before they can join our team. We beleive that this will also be among our 2021 achievements. 

awesomity.rw

UNICEF and Airtel launch Internet of Good Things

UNICEF and Airtel have launched the Internet of Good Things in Rwanda – an innovative digital platform with information and resources which promote better, healthier living. Internet of Good Things is a UNICEF-led initiative, accessible in over 60 countries and territories around the world, helping bridge the digital divide and build knowledge-based societies.

The Internet of Good Things platform hosts mobile-packaged content from UNICEF and its partners, designed to make life-saving and life-improving information available at no cost – even on low-end devices, and basic web-enabled mobile phones. By providing greater access to information and feedback tools, Internet of Good Things also allows youth and citizens to take part in critical discussions and voice their opinions.

Through this new partnership, Internet of Good Things is now accessible free of data charges – in English and Kinyarwanda – on an Airtel SIM card via https://rw.goodinternet.org.

Internet of Good Things is bringing change in awareness and knowledge to critical areas, and continues to aim in assisting bringing change in attitudes and behaviours as a result of new knowledge.  The initiative is also helping to bridge the digital divide and increase access to critical information.

“Many communities and individuals across Rwanda do not have easy or affordable access to life-saving information. Young people especially are vulnerable to misinformation about communicable diseases like COVID-19, sexual and gender-based violence, early and unintended pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and more,” says Amit Chawla, Managing Director of Airtel Rwanda. “With Internet of Good Things available to provide greater access to this information, we are not only building digital literacy, but addressing these challenges and vulnerabilities that would otherwise compound.”

New users to Internet of Good Things can find updated information on COVID-19 prevention, how youth can stay informed and get involved in the fight against the virus, parenting tips, and interactive information on when to get vaccinated and against which diseases. Users can also create free accounts to comment on articles, ask questions, and participate in polls.

“Internet of Good Things allows anyone to be empowered to make more informed decisions around their health, ending violence, preventing diseases like COVID-19, raising children and more,” says Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda. “We are especially pleased that this collaboration between UNICEF and Airtel will allow us to reach some of the most disadvantaged populations and marginalized communities who might otherwise never access such vital information.”

UNICEF’s global engagement with the private sector leverages resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and contribute towards national development agendas. In Rwanda, the private sector – including the telecommunication industry – is considered to be a force multiplier for the country’s development and addressing the needs of children.

www.unicef.org