09 Mar 2023

Standard Chartered Bank has gone an extra mile in providing a faster and safer way of making transactions through its newly launched Easy Pula service.

The service is meant to enable both its traditional and non-traditional clients to access its banking services through various agents countrywide.

The bank, in partnership with BotswanaPost and Motovac Botswana, launched the product on Tuesday in Molepolole at their various sites, exactly two years after the bank closed down most of its branches in the country including the only branch they had in Molepolole.

The bank’s move is seen as a digitisation strategy that will ensure increased access to its banking services.

In the initial rollout of the project, Standard Chartered has partnered with BotswanaPost to deliver 16 sites in phase one in such villages as Bobonong, Francistown, Ghanzi, Good Hope, Rakops and Seronga. 

Speaking at the launch, Standard Chartered CEO, Mr Mpho Masupe thanked BotswanaPost and Motovac for partnering with them to ascertain that Batswana were able to access services.

“We are fully aligned to the notion of leaving no one behind as we find a solution towards optimising our distribution models for the benefit of our various clients,” said Mr Masupe.

He said a further 20 cites were available with other partners including Motovac, Cellphone Warehouse, Sesigo and Seanokeng Service Station. 

Mr Masupe also said his bank was committed to growing the Agent Banking Service Eazy Pula from 36 to 150 sites by the end of 2023. 

For his part, BotswanaPost CEO, Mr Cornelius Ramatlhakwane emphasised the century old legacy of the two entities, stressing the strategic direction of BotswanaPost towards digitisation.

“This has in the last 10 years been made possible by infusing technology into our strategic and developmental plans across our various business lines,’’ he said, emphasising that BotswanaPost was no longer a typical traditional post office.

The Easy Pula agent banking service, alongside other Standard Chartered products such as cardless cash, voucher-based ATM withdrawal service and mobile transfers through their mobile money operators, provide access to financial services. 

Kweneng District Council chairman, Mr Allen Jacobs extended a huge thank you to Standard Chartered and BotswanaPost for bringing services closer to Batswana. 

He commended them for acknowledging specifically the unbanked and making sure that they too became part of the digital world by transacting in an easy, faster and safe manner.

Kgosi Kgari III of Bakwena also commended the two entities for bringing financial solutions closer to the people and cutting distances travelled to access cash services.

Eazy Pula service is a form of an urgent banking platform, a fully digital instrument that enables users to withdraw or deposit cash. 

Customers can access the service through their bank card and they should also show their identity card for verification process when depositing cash at any site. 

The service is provided in real time anywhere in the country. Ends