Martin Endjala
The Namibia Post Limited (NamPost) last week launched a banking application (app) that will enable customers to make transactions and pay bills at their convenience.
Festis Hangula, the chief executive officer of NamPost, explained that the app is designed to meet the needs of savings and transactional account holders.
“For savings bank account holders, especially savings and transactional accounts, they need access to their funds to transact, pay bills and send money,” said Hangula.
The postal operations have been running financial services under the savings bank for many years.
He emphasised the institution’s ongoing commitment to serving the unbanked, underbanked, and low-income individuals.
“That aspect has not changed and we remain firmly focused on financial inclusion,” he said.
Given the changing market dynamics and evolving customer needs, Hangula noted the necessity of adapting to new business methods to stay relevant.
“For that reason, expect more to develop in the NamPost digital space. For example, we are currently looking at registered digital mail, ATMs, and retail apps. Bring more services into the hands of the customers,” he revealed.
Information and communications technology minister Emma Theofelus commended NamPost’s efforts and stressed the importance of digital transformation in driving Namibia’s economic growth.
She highlighted the success of NamPost’s financial services, including the 271 000 VISA SmartCard holders, who now have access to affordable payment services and secure savings facilities.
“The 126 618 individuals insured through NamPost. Many of whom are low-income earners further demonstrate that we see the fruits of that adaptation. A proactive step towards digital transformation of the future,” she said.
NamPost is working on “Project SKY,” a five-year strategy to transform the company into a digitally enabled entity that meets the evolving needs of its clients.
NamPost began operations in 1992 with 92 post offices and has since expanded.
The company’s assets stand at over N$8.1 billion.
In 2009, its assets amounted to N$1.5 billion, an increase from N$69 million 32 years ago.
