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BGFI Bank Group, a major financial player in Africa, has strengthened its long-standing relationship with global fintech provider SBS. Moving beyond traditional core banking modernization, the group has inked a new agreement to deploy SBS’s Digital Banking Suite (DBS).
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This strategic move is the technological cornerstone of the “BGFI 30” plan, aiming to unify the group’s digital footprint and propel performance, agility, and innovation across its extensive network in Africa and Europe.
A Unified Strategy for a Pan-African Giant
Rather than modernizing its digital channels on a country-by-country basis, BGFI Bank Group is adopting a holistic approach. By centralizing the initiative through its technology entity, BGFI Services, the group is establishing a shared digital foundation.
This “group-wide” strategy is designed to break down silos, accelerate the pace of innovation, and ensure a consistent, high-quality customer experience, while still allowing individual subsidiaries the flexibility to adapt to local market nuances.
Phased Rollout: Pilots to Full-Scale Deployment
BGFI Bank Group is implementing a meticulous, risk-averse strategy to ensure success. The digital transformation will commence with two pilot subsidiaries, allowing the group to validate the new platform’s performance in a live environment.
Henri-Claude OYIMA, Chairman and CEO of BGFI Holding Corporation, emphasized the strategic nature of the renewal.
“Renewing our partnership with SBS is a strategic step in executing our BGFI 30 plan. Beyond modernizing digital channels, we are building a shared digital foundation that enables our Group to innovate faster, operate more efficiently, and deliver consistent, high-quality banking experiences across our markets.”
Following this proof of concept, the rollout will progressively expand across the entire network. This phased approach is crucial for refining the operating model, reducing duplication, and ensuring a seamless scaling of digital services.
The Technology Powering the Transformation
At the core of this evolution is the SBS Digital Banking Suite (DBS) . This platform is designed as a connected and composable architecture, enabling banks to modernize customer experiences without starting from scratch.
“BGFI Bank Group is demonstrating how large banking groups can scale digital transformation without multiplying complexity. By establishing a common digital foundation, the Group is creating the conditions to accelerate innovation, strengthen operational efficiency, and continuously evolve customer experiences across its network. We are proud to support BGFI Bank Group on this journey,.” added Hassan Nasser, Deputy General Manager at SBS.
By seamlessly integrating digital channels, core banking connectivity, data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), DBS reduces the cost and complexity of change.
For BGFI, this platform represents a long-term growth engine, facilitating stronger customer engagement and quicker responses to shifting market demands.
