Series examines AI, tokenisation, real-time payments
By Kingsley Samuel
Interswitch has called for financial infrastructure that can keep pace with consumer expectations and the growth of digital commerce.
The call was made at the Lagos finale of the sixth edition of the company’s TechConnect series, which also held in Owerri, Abuja and Ibadan.
The series, themed “Built for What’s Next: Designing Adaptive Financial Infrastructure for a Dynamic Market,” brought together stakeholders in finance, technology and business to discuss emerging payment technologies and the future of digital commerce.
Managing Director, Payment Scheme and Network at Verve International, Vincent Ogbunude, said preparing for the future required more than adopting new technologies.
“Building for what’s next extends beyond just adopting new technologies to creating financial infrastructure that can evolve with changing consumer expectations, support new business models and enable innovation without compromising the trust on which digital finance depends,” he said.
“As payments become increasingly digital and interconnected, we must continue to strengthen interoperability, security and resilience while creating room for payment experiences that give consumers greater choice and businesses more flexibility.”
Interswitch Chief Sales Officer, Robinta Aluyi, said the series provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and build partnerships to advance Nigeria’s digital economy.
“TechConnect is about bringing stakeholders across the financial services, technology and business ecosystems together to share perspectives on the realities of our market, the opportunities ahead and the partnerships required to move the industry forward,” she said.
Aluyi said discussions across the four-city tour had reinforced the need for infrastructure that responds to changing business and consumer needs.
“The conversations across our four-city journey reinforce the need to build financial infrastructure that responds to changing business and consumer needs, supports innovation and creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth,” she said.
The Lagos event featured a panel session, “Adaptive Frameworks: Digital Financial Services in an Era of AI, Tokenisation and Real-Time Payments,” which examined how emerging technologies are shaping financial services.
A fireside chat titled “Tokenisation: The Next Chapter for Digital Payments” explored the technology’s relevance to payment security, digital commerce and card transactions.
The programme also featured an announcement concerning Google’s entry into Nigeria and the roles of Interswitch, Verve and their partners. Kantar presented “From the Queue to the Tap: Twenty Years of How Nigerians Pay.”
Interswitch showcased its products and services and recognised partner performance at an awards presentation.
The company said it remained committed to advancing adaptive financial infrastructure.
