Stanbic Launches Zest for Customized Payment Solutions Delivery

Bukola Olanrewaju October 6, 2023 BUSINESS Leave a comment

In its bid to disrupt the fintech industry, Stanbic IBTC Holdings has unveiled its fintech subsidiary, Zest to fulfil the need for accessible, secure and customer-centred financial services that cater to the unique needs of Nigerians and Africans at large.

The was revealed during the unveiling of its brand and key platform at an event which took place at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, with proxy unveil carried out in Port Harcourt, Kano and the FCT.

Zest (formerly Stanbic IBTC Financial Services) started commercial operations in May 2023, functioning primarily as a Payment Service Provider, having received all the relevant regulatory approvals to commence operations. This event themed Universe 1.0 marks the introduction of the brand to the public.

Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Basil Omiyi CON, in his opening remarks, noted that Zest was set up to execute a solution-driven, platform orchestration strategy that will serve consumers, businesses, application developers, and other financial services providers.

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Delivering the keynote address, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Dr Demola Sogunle, afﬁrmed that Zest as the group fintech subsidiary would be the epicentre of solutions delivery, new partnerships, and better experiences in the area of payments and customized solutions delivery.

He stressed that “Financial inclusion in Nigeria should go beyond pay and receive. We are talking about bringing the totality of financial transactions, financial services, financial solutions, and financial products into the hands of average Nigerians.

“We are talking about insurance, whether micro or Nano. We are talking about pensions, consumer credit at a very ground level, investment, and mutual funds. When we can do this at every level, that is when we can accomplish financial inclusion,” he further said at the event in Lagos.

Addressing the audience, Stanley Jacob, Chief Executive of Zest further explained the key design principles, which focus on the delivery of a multi-railed platform strategy that enables businesses to collect payments in any form that the customer wants to pay, human-centred design, growth-powered by e-Commerce and operational excellence. He concluded by saying “When you use our platforms, we want you to experience better – better with payments, better with integrations and better with selling”, aligning with the brand tagline ‘Go for Better’.

The hybrid event focused on unveiling the Zest brand, showcasing its identity and culture through various touchpoints. The highlight of the event was a commerce experience where guests and shoppers had first-hand experience of the e-commerce platforms.