DIGITAL SERVICES A BOOST FOR ZAMBIA

By BUSINESS REPORTER INCREASED access to digital products and services has remained a core fundamental in the development of economies, First National Bank (FNB) Zambia has observed.

FNB chief executive officer, Leonard Haynes, said increased digital services had triggered a shift in the way markets and economies in Zambia and the World at large operated.

He said FNB believed that Zambia's digital migration increased adoption rates and presented favourable conditions for the introduction of new products.

Mr Haynes said this yesterday during the launch of the Bank`s newest offering products which allows customers to buy products such as smartphones and laptops from the institution at a negotiated price.

"These developments coupled with increased mobile penetration rates in Africa and Zambia specifically have prompted wonderful synergies between the finance and technology sectors. And the biggest winner in all of this has been the customer," he said.

Mr Haynes noted that the way markets and economies consumed and communicated was rapidly changing with the introduction of smart technology. Nixon Chilangwa

Speaking at the same function, FNB head of retail, Kabanda Lilanda, explained that the smart devices offering came about as the result of in-depth customer research and a review of opportunities in the digital market.

Mr Lilanda said the new innovation would allow customers to make monthly payments for their devices.

He said customers would also be able to buy up to three devices from a wide range of smart phones, laptops and tablets from leading brands in the market.

"When considered alongside limited availability of direct payment plans do individual in the market, these developments present a clear-cut opportunity for FNB to drive its digital footprint," he said.