Zest makes grand entry, offering financial solutions

Emmanuel Ukudolo I Wednesday, Oct.04, 2023 

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – Zest, the Fintech subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC today unveiled its brand and key platforms at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, with proxy unveilings  in Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. 

 Zest (formerly Stanbic IBTC Financial Services) started commercial operations in May 2023, functioning primarily as a Payment Service Provider, having received all the relevant regulatory approvals to commence operations. This event themed Universe 1.0 marks the introduction of Zest to the public.

 Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Basil Omiyi CON, in his opening remarks, noted that Zest was set up to execute a solution-driven, platform orchestration strategy that will serve consumers, businesses, application developers, and other financial services providers. 

Delivering the keynote address, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Dr Demola Sogunle, affirmed that Zest as the group fintech subsidiary, would be the epicentre of solutions delivery, new partnerships, and better experiences in the area of payments and customised solutions delivery. 

“Zest as our fintech subsidiary is at the epicentre of everything that we are trying to do going forward. Zest is focused on delivering a true platform orchestration strategy that would enable multiple payment options in the hands of the customer, help businesses collect payments seamlessly and power embedded finance, especially in the area of e-commerce, Buy Now, Pay later(BNPL) working capital solutions and value added services”, he said. 

Sogunle explained that Zest presents an opportunity to unlock new networks of partnerships, deliver better experiences in the area of payments and customised solutions delivery.

Attesting to the quality of the product, Sogunle said: “in the past few months, our fintech platforms have gone through an early  adoption phase and testing by different customer segments, we have consistently  improved based on feedback received from these engagements”, he said. 

Addressing the audience, Stanley Jacob, Chief Executive of Zest further explained the key design principles, which bothers on the delivery of a multi-railed platform strategy that enables businesses to collect payments in any form that the customer wants to pay, human centred design, growth powered by e-Commerce and operational excellence. 

“When you use our platforms, we want you to experience better – better with payments, better with integrations and better with selling”, aligning with the brand tagline ‘Go for Better’.

Also speaking, Vice President, Products and Engineering, Ifeoluwa Adekunle-Yusuf said  the Zest spirit  is one of innovation and change, “this means we remain committed to better-better-payment options, better integration, better platforms for e-commerce.

She said the Zest Universe is endowed with multiple payment rails, all in  one gateway, cards, USSD, QR codes and account based payments and that over 40 currencies can be enabled.

Adekunle-Yusuf noted that the Zest universe is offering  customizable e-commerce stores at no charge and that businesses who embrace the product will get more visibility for their business “as we promote the Zest marketplace which is the centre of convergence for all sellers”.

She described the app as bank agnostic, providing options to pay using any card, USSD or wallets.

“On the future of the universe, watch out for for more exciting capabilities in the coming days – Apple Pay, Google Pay, In-store payment experience both contact and contactless and other value-added services built around your lifestyle”, she said. 

 Earlier, two customers,  Yomi Ajayi of Chard Pharmaceutical and Ayodele Adeyinka, Managing Partner,  Easy Mart spoke on their experience with Zest, describing it as fast, without any need for dispute resolution between them and their clients. They added that onboarding is seamless and that it is easy to use. 

In her closing remarks, Vice President, Client Experience, Nimide Falasinu thanked the chairman and directors of board of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and others for their immense support for the project. 

The hybrid event focused on unveiling the Zest brand, showcasing its identity and culture through various touchpoints. Highlight of the event was a commerce experience where guests and shoppers had first-hand experience of the e-Commerce platforms.

Flash was also on hand to thrill guests and give them a taste of his musical prowess.