₦airaland Forum

We know that as the landscape change and players innovate, fraudsters also get sophisticated and daring. Card Expo 2015 will help you learn how to nip fraud in the bud. You can also join the train of those that will pitch at the conference. Kindly register for a pitch of an innovation you think and nip fraudulent activities in the bud. Click here: http:///1F4PV9g
You can also register to attend the conference here: http:///1AS4VmT

Card Expo 2015 will help you discover the new business frontiers and engage in sustainable growth practices making waves across channels in Africa. e-Payment is evolving, do you think you have what it takes to change the face of e-payment in Africa. Register for an opportunity to pitch here: http:///1F4PV9g
You can also register to attend the conference here: http:///1AS4VmT

Be a part of the decision-making process and nominate those entitled to be recognised at the CBN CASHLESS CARDEXPO AWARDS.

The Award Categories are:

Best Credit Card Product of the Year
Highest POS User of the Year
Highest Prepaid Card User of the Year
Highest Debit Card User of the Year
Best Card Design of the Year
Best Card Benefits Programme of the Year
Best Payment Innovation of the Year
Best Achievement in Customer Service
Best POS Integrator of the Year
Best Online Shopping Platform
Best Mobile Payment Initiative
Best Card Processor of the Year
Best Flexible POS Platform
Best Overseas Payment Programme of the Year
Highest ATM Mobile Payment User of the Year
Best Mobile Money Agent Network
Best Co-branded Card of the Year
Industry Personality of the Year
E-commerce Leader of the Year
Highest ATM User of the Year
Best Financial Inclusion Services/Product
Most Consistent Electronic Bill Payer of the Year
Best Merchant of the Year [Usage]
Highest POS Transaction Merchant in 2015
Best Security and Authentication Program of the Year
Best Merchant of the Year [Innovation]

NOMINATIONS WILL CONTINUE TILL MAY 15, 2015.

Visit http://cardatmandmobilexpo.com/nomination/ to nominate your preferred awardee

THE CARD AWARDS ARE OPEN TO:

• Credit card issuers and also their retail, affinity and other co-brand partners (referred to elsewhere as ‘credit card brands’) in Africa. ‘Credit card issuers’ mean the bank or other financial institutions licensed to issue credit tokens in Africa.

• Prepaid card issuers, meaning any organisation who owns or operates a brand that is utilised (on its own or as a co-brand) in connection with prepaid cards or virtual prepaid products usable in an open network, identified by an issuer identification number (IIN) or, for closed loop, in a significant number of outlets in Africa. Any prepaid product entered must relate to actively issued cards.

• Debit card issuers linking a payment card to an African bank account (i.e. current, savings or deposit account), which is used to pay for goods and services by debiting the holder’s account. Entries should relate to the payment card element rather than the account or other services linked to the account.

• Banking Acquirers who hold banking license in Africa.

• Card Processors

• Mobile payment brands, ecommerce brands and other epayment service providers that have been operating in Africa for at least 12 months prior to the entry deadline.

Do you know that consumers, banks, merchants and regulators have to realign their visions and rethink commercial models? The future promises to deliver a rapidly changing payments landscape as increasing convergence, integration and ecommerce and mobile technology radically change the shape of the payments market place. Over the next five to seven years, retail and wholesale payments are expected to mature into highly automated and interactive eco-systems.

All this and more will be discussed kindly register here http:///1AS4VmT

Do you know that consumers, banks, merchants and regulators have to realign their visions and rethink commercial models? The future promises to deliver a rapidly changing payments landscape as increasing convergence, integration and ecommerce and mobile technology radically change the shape of the payments market place. Over the next five to seven years, retail and wholesale payments are expected to mature into highly automated and interactive eco-systems. All these and more will be discussed kindly register here http:///1AS4VmT

What is the 2015 application deadline?
The round one application deadline is May 15, 2015. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the review of the applications by May 15, 2015.

What questions will be asked in the one application?
We are purposefully keeping the application short and simple. There will be approximately 14 questions, most of which request contact and demographic information. The two questions requiring longer and more thoughtful responses are: “What’s your innovative idea for positively impacting Africa and why is it needed?” and “Why are you or your team uniquely qualified to tackle this issue?”

Where do I submit my application?
Starting on February 15, 2015, you may access the online round one application by clicking http://cardatmandmobilexpo.com/pitch-application-form/
Please note that once your application is submitted, it may not be altered.

How does the Double ‘A’ Payment. Innovation Prize define “early stage” in the context of supporting “early stage ideas being piloted or prototyped by dynamic visionaries”?
We view the double ‘A’ Payment Innovation Prize as seed funding for high potential new ideas. Generally speaking, our spectrum of eligibility ranges from well-considered concepts (with no organization yet formed) to organizations that have existed for up to 3 years. Some exceptions may exist.

Is a new idea being incubated within a well-established organization eligible for the double ‘A’ Payment Innovation Prize?
Yes, if the new idea is intended to become a stand-alone organizational entity within 1-2 years. A new program within a well-established organization that is not intended to become a stand-alone organizational entity is ineligible.

Where and when will the first N250, 000 grants be distributed to awardees?
25th June 2015 at the CARDEXPO AFRICA 2015 dinner holding at Eko Hotel & Suite Victoria Island, Lagos.

Are there restrictions on the use of the funds awarded with the double ‘A’ Payment Innovation Prize?
The N250, 000 payment innovation prize is awarded as unrestricted general operating support to awardees’ nonprofit organizations or fiscal sponsors.

Can you provide more information about the in-person convenings for Prize recipients?
Intermarc Consulting (the hosts of CARDEXPO AFRICA) organizes these convenings per year for the 2015 class of Prize recipients for the three-year duration of the Prize. These convenings will provide an opportunity for Prize recipients to bond with and learn from one another, as well as to network with and learn from outside community and thought leaders in the social impact space. More details will be provided to Prize recipients.

1. MOBILE MONEY AS A STRATEGY TO REACH THE UNBANKED
Financial inclusion of the unbanked has always been a good issue to talk about. Now you can learn the strategy to implement a successful mobile payment as mobile banking scheme.
2. FRAUD NIP IT
As the landscape change and players innovate, fraudsters also get sophisticated and daring. Learn how to nip fraud in the bud.
3. EXPLORE NEW FRONTIERS IN ePAYMENT
Discover the new business frontiers and engage in sustainable growth practices making waves across channels in Africa.
4. A STRATEGIC APPROACH WILL SURELY WIN
Be informed about global approaches to similar challenges you may be facing in your implementation or marketing. It can work for you too.
5. PREPAID IS WINNING IN AFRICA
Trust has always been a major issue in payment transactions. Prepaid has come to Africa to put the issue of trust to rest. Learn how to innovate with prepaid.
6. DISCOVER ALTERNATIVE REVENUE STREAM ACROSS PLATFORMS: INCREASE YOUR ROI
Uncover the new way of making alternative incomes from same platforms. Value-added service has become the fad in epayment. How do you best position yourself in this emerging space?
7. THE YOUTH AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMERCE
With demographics on their side, African youths have become the largest market and segment for electronic transaction and mobile. Learn how to penetrate this “Special Breed” group.

http://cardatmandmobilexpo.com/reasons-to-attend-card-expo/

Intermarc Consulting Limited has just concluded engagement with NIBSS and CBN to host the 15th edition of Africa’s most anticipated Conference and Exhibition with special focus on Card, Mobile, Identification and Payment, which is now called CBN Cashless CardExpo the event will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos, from June 23-25, 2015.

You will remember that the momentum of using cards started a few years ago when people started getting used to ATMs. Well, the story is changing very fast these days. Since the Central Bank of Nigeria effectively introduced the cashless policy in 2012, we have seen more usage of cards not just on ATMs but on POS. Needless to say that the bullion vans and sirens have disappeared and people are now transferring money electronically through NIBSS Instant Payment and NIBSS Electronic Funds Transfer. The volume of transactions per day under these different electronic payment systems is very encouraging, at least it proves that it works and Nigerians are getting value in terms of convenience, security and speed of concluding financial transactions.

The theme for this year is “INNOVATION: THE FUTURE OF ePAYMENT”. This will focus greatly on the future payment vision, the assumption that underlines the vision and how innovation will drive the process. The conference and exhibition will also focus on new users as well as the service delivery strategy that will deliver the future of payment.
While the payment landscape has evolved rapidly over the past decade, due to flurry of innovation and regulation, expansive growth in electronic payments and the inclusion of new market entrants, industry research indicates that the next decade will yield a period of even faster changes.

At this Conference and Exhibition, top card and epayment experts will be sharing inside strategies on positioning and enhancing your card business to ensure your spot in the rapidly evolving Card Ecosystem. Merchants, Issuers, Financial Institutions, and Solution Providers will hear first-hand, in insightful panel debates, a holistic idea exchange around the industry's and most pressing issues on Cards, Mobile payment, MPOS, NFC, BVN, Square Me, ATM, EFT, eGovernment payments at federal and state levels, Utility payments etc.
CBN and NIBSS will also be rewarding bank customers that frequently use their cards on POS. Merchants and sales persons who promote and encourage the use of card on POS will also be rewarded with various cash prizes under the CBN Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS).

The organisers have also put together Demo Sessions for pitches by young developers of brilliant “out of the box” payment technologies who will have the opportunity to present and demonstrate their innovative solutions during the conference. N250, 000 will be won by each of the best four epayment demo pitchers. Only solutions that has not been launched or in the market will qualify to be presented at our pitches which is sponsored by Diamond Bank and MasterCard.

The ‘Double A Payment Innovation Prize’ provides catalytic funding for projects in their early stages of development; whether a pilot project, a new organization, or a nascent initiative, work supported by the fund must involve a certain level of measured risk that ultimately lead to large-scale, transformative results.

The burgeoning field of payment innovation has become a recognized area in philanthropy. The demand for funding of this type, however, has increased so rapidly as many worthwhile ideas fail to find backing from established funders. The Double A Payment Innovation Prize will fill a gap in this marketplace, not only by providing critical capital to the payment innovation field, but also by taking risks on projects that may be seen by others as underdeveloped or too small.

Another difference is that the ‘Double A Payment Innovation Prize’ will build on the CardExpo’s longstanding areas of interest while remaining flexible enough to allow for fresh and unexpected thinking. Prize recipients will ideally innovate across at least two of the Fund’s three traditional disciplinary boundaries:
• Person to person payment ( P2P)
• Person to Business( P2B)
• Business to Business (B2B)
The ‘Double A Payment Innovation Prize’ will be awarded to projects or ideas that: represent a game-changing answer to a clearly identified payment need; demonstrate an interdisciplinary or hybridized approach, ideally involving at least two of the three areas of interest to the Fund demonstrate the potential to develop an actionable pilot or prototype with Prize funding; show scalable impact or impact beyond the initial pilot or prototype hold out the promise to benefit multiple individuals, communities or sectors through a clearly articulated theory of change.

Interested individuals or teams may apply for the ‘Double A Payment Innovation Prize’ from February 15th through 15th May, 2015. A short application will be made accessible via the conference website: www.cardatmandmobilexpo.com and click on the Innovation Pitches tab or http://cardatmandmobilexpo.com/pitch-application-form/ beginning from February 15.

A review of these applications will take place on 15th May 2015. Finalists will be advised on 15th May and will be invited to present their demos at the Payment Innovation Pitches at CardExpo Africa 2015. The Prize’s awardees will be publicly announced at the event on 25th June 2015, and prize money awarded at the Gala Dinner same day Nigerian Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele will be leading other Nigerian financial institutions’ chiefs to speak at the opening ceremony of this event while the CBN Deputy Governor, Mr Sulaiman Barau will speak at the closing dinner.

Banks and card companies have the opportunity to win in different award categories in the 2015 cardexpo awards. This is a fully automated award process incorporating online nomination and voting. The cardexpo awards are supported by NIBSS and CBN and the awards will be given out by the CBN deputy Governor at the closing dinner. To vote, please visit the conference website: www.cardatmandmobilexpo.comand click on the ‘Card Expo Awards’ tab or Visit: http://cardatmandmobilexpo.com/nomination/
CardExpo Africa Exhibition continues its tradition of showcasing the most exciting developments in the payment sector. With a variety of new innovative technologies,
it has never been more important to keep pace with industry developments. With banks, cards scheme and newer entrants all vying their place at the centre of the ecosystem. This must attend event will provide insightful takeaways from the industry.

Why attend:
• Hear about new technologies which could transform your business
• Meet with industry pioneers to discuss how they see the sector advancing
• Learn about how new entrants plan to grow their market share
• Network with major players and see what your competitors are working on

For further information visit: www.cardatmandmobilexpo.com

Intermarc Consulting Limited is set to host the 15th edition of Africa’s most anticipated CARDEXPO AFRICA 2015 Conference and Exhibition with special focus on Card, Mobile, Identification and Payment. The event will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos, from June 23 – 25, 2015.

According to the organizers, the theme for this year is “INNOVATION: THE FUTURE OF ePAYMENT”.
This will focus greatly on the future of payment, the assumption that underlines growth potentials and how innovation will drive the process.
The conference and exhibition will also focus on new users as well as the service delivery strategy that will deliver the future of payment.

Speaking with Conference Director, Lilian Ekwedike, she noted that while the payment landscape has evolved rapidly over the past decade, due to a flurry of innovation and regulation, expansive growth in electronic payments and the inclusion of new market entrants, industry research indicates that the next decade will yield a period of even faster changes.

Her words ‘In the traditional electronic payment sector the weak national economies across Africa continues to drive cost efficiencies in both domestic and international payment systems. International trade expansion and globalization are growing the demands for cross border payment while the rapidly changing demands of corporates, non-banks and banks for lower, reduced fees and improved services will increase pressure on traditional payments models to rationalize. The retail payment sector is already undergoing major change primarily as a result of the disruptive impact of ecommerce mobile and tablets. There is a rapid development of new payment concepts and business structures which will displace traditional cash and other forms of payment.

Lilian Ekwedike stated that over the next five to seven years, retail and wholesale payments are expected to mature into highly automated and interactive eco-systems. Of particular importance and a new opportunity for banks, will be the growth in the use of traditional electronic ACH payments in the retail sector. This is beginning to happen in Nigeria with the NIBBS instant payment platform. Electronic and the newly emerging alternative payment have an increasingly important role to play in enabling banks to displace cash and cheque transactions over the next decade as e-commerce grows and payment accelerates rapidly. Innovation and new developments will be the key drivers for change over the next five to seven years.’

According to her, at this Conference and Exhibition, top card and epayment experts will be sharing inside strategies on positioning and enhancing your card business to ensure your spot in the rapidly evolving Card Ecosystem. Merchants, Issuers, Financial Institutions, and Solution Providers will hear first-hand, in insightful panel debates, a holistic idea exchange around the industry's and most pressing issues on Cards, Mobile payment, MPOS, NFC, BVN, Square Me, ATM, EFT, eGovernment payments at federal and state levels, Utility payments etc.

She also said that the company will be rewarding bank customers that frequently use their cards on POS. Merchants and sales persons who promote and encourage the use of card on POS will also be rewarded with various cash prizes under the CBN Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS).

She confirm that her company has also put together Demo Sessions for pitches by young developers of brilliant “out of the box” payment technologies who will have the opportunity to present and demonstrate their innovative solutions during the conference. N250,000 will be won by each of the best four epayment demo pitchers. Only solutions that has not been launched or in the market will qualify to be presented at our pitches.

CardExpo Africa Exhibition continues its tradition of showcasing the most exciting developments in the payment sector. With a variety of new innovative technologies,
it has never been more important to keep pace with industry developments. With banks, cards scheme and newer entrants all vying their place at the centre of the ecosystem, this must attend event will provide insightful takeaways from the industry.

Over 50 companies, including banks, Card companies from the local and international payment community have thrown their weight behind the event. Some of the companies that will showcase new innovative products and services at this event are: Diamond Bank, Zenith Bank, SecureID Limited, Heritage Bank, First Bank, Chams Group, Access Bank, Unified payment, Fidelity Bank, UBA, Visa International, EcoBank, MasterCard, Unity Bank, APPZONE, shoptomydoor, Citiserve, global accelerex, Itex, eTranzact, Samsung, Sterling Bank, Globasure, Cardstel, Inlaks, GTP, Verifone, Computer Warehouse Group, Systemspecs, Skye Bank as well as other international companies like future cards dubai, pole premium france, tribecatr south Africa, shenzentecare cards china, JCB international, Checkmarx france etc

Top government agencies, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) have also put their weight as partners to this event.

Nigerian Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele will be leading other Nigerian financial institutions’ chiefs to speak at the opening ceremony of this event while the CBN Deputy Governor, Mr Sulaiman Barau will speak at the closing dinner.

Banks and card companies have the opportunity to win in different award categories in the 2015 cardexpo awards. This is a fully automated award process incorporating online nomination and voting. The cardexpo awards is supported by NIBSS and CBN and the awards will be given out by the CBN deputy Governor at the closing dinner. To vote, please visit the conference website: www.cardatmandmobilexpo.com and click on the ‘Card Expo Awards’ tab or Visit: http://cardatmandmobilexpo.com/nomination/