26 May 2016

First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) on Tuesday launched withdrawal services in partnership with PayPal as a means of bringing global e-commerce services closer to Botswana.

Speaking at the launch ceremony in Gaborone, FNBB business segment director Ms Ogone Madisa-Kgwarae said they would continue to engage their customers with the most reliable services to make banking and buying more convenient.

She said the PayPal withdrawal services would enable individuals and the business sector to trade using an online service.

“The business sector will be more active because PayPal gives an opportunity to make online transactions globally thus exporting and importing goods and making payments,” she said.

She also stated that it would allow a growth of trade in the country with hope that it would boost the Botswana market. 

“It will help the tourism sector and the hospitality business especially the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMES),” she said.

The PayPal general manager for Africa and Israel, Mr Efi Dahan encouraged individuals and the business community so use the FNB PayPal withdrawal services because it is an important service that connects people to the global e-commerce market.

Mr Dahan said the use of smartphones has made the worlds a smaller place. 

“Everyone is connected to the internet and almost everything is done on the internet hence the service gives Batswana a wider opportunity to also get connected through trading,” Mr Dahan said.

He said the service is only available to FNB customers and they just have to connect their credit cards, and bank accounts to PayPal account to avoid many accounts. He stated that the customers do not have to worry about the change of currencies because that will be done automatically by the bank.

Dahan assured customers that the service is safe and secure and in cases of wrong purchase, the disputes will be settled by PayPal. 

FNB and PayPal partnership began five years ago and Botswana is the third country in Southern Africa to launch this service. ENDS