ABSA BANK TANZANIA LAUNCHES THE FIRST VIRTUAL BRANCH ENGAGEMENT SOLUTION IN THE MARKET

Absa Bank Tanzania Finance Director, Obedi Laiser (left), cuts a ribbon to inaugurate the bank’s first virtual branch engagement solution to be hosted on WhatsApp. The event took place at Absa Mikocheni Branch in Dar es Salaam. Looking on from right are Absa Tanzania Head of Retail Banking, Oscar Mwamfwagasi and bank’s Head of Customer Experience, Samuel Mkuyu.

Absa Bank Tanzania Head of Retail Banking, Oscar Mwamfwagasi, addresses attendees during the launching ceremony.

A cross-section of attendees watch the screen as Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director, Abdi Mohamed, speaks using teleconferencing facility.

Absa Mikocheni Branch Manager, Prisca Daudi, demonstrates how to use the just-launched Absa's virtual branch engagement solution in Dar es Salaam.

Absa Bank Tanzania Finance Director, Obedi Laiser (left), the bank’s Head of Customer Experience, Samuel Mkuyu, and Absa Tanzania Head of Retail Oscar Mwamfwagasi, in a buoyant mood during the official launch of the bank’s first virtual branch engagement solution to be hosted on WhatsApp.

Absa Bank Tanzania has launched its first ever virtual branch engagement solution to all customers. The new engagement solution is hosted on WhatsApp and will enable its customers to book their banking services and know the turnaround time per service prior to being attended to. The solution is aimed to fit into customers lifestyles and enhance their experience while at the branch.

Addressing the press to announce the system launch, the bank’s Managing Director, Abdi Mohamed said, “Absa’s aim is to become a digitally led bank while providing solutions which caters for our customers convenience and lifestyles. Our customers no longer need to wait aimless at the branch lobby, we are now in a position to engage them before they even arrive through their mobile phones.”

“We chose WhatsApp because it makes interacting with customers easy, private and personalized. Based off our market research at least 68% of WhatsApp users think using the platform is the easiest and most private way to connect. This system will also enable customers to share their feedback on their experience which will put more emphasis on how we can better improve our products and services. As a bank we are truly tapping into our customers lifestyles, by partnering with Fintech companies such as FastHub Solutions to provide more meaningful personalized moments for our customers”, said the Head of Customer Experience (CX) & Digital, Samuel Mkuyu.

The bank’s Head of Retail Banking, Oscar Mwamfwagasi also said, “We have not excluded our non-smartphone owning customers (Feature Phones). We guarantee them the exact same experience by sending a short message service (SMS) to our toll free acquired short code 15062. At Absa, we continue to aspire to help bring possibilities to life and we are now confidently placing our customers lifestyles and needs at the Centre of all we do. As an agile bank we are focused on empowering our customers and further revolutionizing the experience they have with us. We guarantee to serve them according to their needs and create the bank of the future now, which we call Africanacity“.

Finance Director, Obedi Laiser concluded by saying "As Absa Bank Tanzania, we continue to harness technology and innovation to meet and anticipate our customers future demands. This platform was conceived from customers feedback that they wanted services to be hassle free and made easier according to the changing times. Our customers can trust that we will continue to evolve our role to become efficient and relevant in the market.

Furthermore, the solution is available to both existing customers with an account at Absa and new customers.

For more information, please contact:

Aron Luhanga
Head, Marketing & Corporate Relations
Absa Bank Tanzania Limited
+255 768 221 717
aron.luhanga@absa.africa

About Absa Bank Tanzania

Absa Bank Tanzania Limited is a leading commercial bank in Tanzania that currently boasts a network of 15 branches and 62 ATMs strategically located countrywide – 21 at all our branches and 49 offsite.

The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Absa Group Limited.

Absa Bank Tanzania Limited, (registered number 38557), is regulated by the Bank of Tanzania.

About Absa Group Limited

Absa Group Limited (‘Absa Group’) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.

Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.

Absa Group has a presence in 12 countries in Africa, with approximately 40,000 employees.

The Group’s registered head office is in Johannesburg, South Africa, and it owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia. The Group also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, as well as insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia, and an international representative office in London and soon in New York.

For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visit www.absa.africa