By Amin Kef Sesay
The Rokel Commercial Bank will become the first indigenous bank to fully digitalize its operations in Sierra Leone this year. Sources from the bank say the process to set up a robust and secured digital infrastructure that would not only allow customers to enjoy cashless transactions in Sierra Leone and other parts of the world but will also help to decongest bank premises has started.
While there is no specific time period for the completion of the project, it is expected that by the middle of the year, the bank would have developed or installed the requisite human resource and infrastructure for its digital revolution.
Apparently, the digitalization process itself did not start today. In July 2018, the bank launched the Rokel Simkorpor – a user friendly mobile cash application that has invariably revolutionized banking transactions with unparalleled flexibility and encrypted securitized features and can be accessed with the inputting of a six digit code and your account details.
The Rokel Simkorpor comes with a full package that performs major banking services like loans, money transfer, utility bills payment, bank transfers etc.
The bank had recruited, trained and deployed scores of agents across the country. Our findings reveal that the Rokel Simkorpor has an exponential growth prospect to become the most dependable digital mobile banking transaction in Sierra Leone.
By the third quarter of last year, a functionally effective internet banking portal was developed and this has proven quite useful to customers who were keen to avoid the hassle of leaving the comfort of their homes and offices to carry out banking transactions at the usually congested bank premises.
The Rokel Internet banking portal can be accessed at www.rokelbank.sl. “We are going digital and want the bank to lead and take up the Ebanking space nationwide…..the aim is to make RCbank a digital bank in 2021” explains the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Walton Ekundayoh Gilpin.
Gilpin’s resolve to reposition the bank into a viable financial institution ready to accommodate and leverage upon every available opportunity in the banking industry has resulted in an unprecedented expansion of the bank over the last three years.
Indeed, with the rise of technology adoption and a growing economy, Sierra Leone’s digital banking landscape is set to develop at a record pace in the next few years.
There is no doubt that all banks in Africa recognize the importance of digital banking in their growth strategy. Improved access to digital services can help increase the financial inclusion of many customers’ across the continent while supporting local economies.
The opportunities are massive for banks willing to take the lead and digitally transform their business to truly engage with their customers.
