NCBA hosts forum to showcase its cyber security solutions to SACCOs




NCBA has hosted its Sacco Banking Division customers in a forum aimed at guiding them to strengthen their defences against the escalating wave of cyber-attacks. During the engagement held at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi, key stakeholders gathered to address the critical challenges facing Saccos in the digital age.

The Group’s suite of innovative Sacco Banking solutions includes Virtual Accounts for Diaspora Remittances, Check-Off Automation, Open Banking, and Automated Direct Debits. The solutions are designed to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen cyber defences, and improve service delivery for SACCOs.

(TOP: Sankul Mandavia, NCBA Group Sector Head, Saccos and Community Banking, at the NCBA Sacco Banking Customer Engagement Forum held at Serena Hotel, Nairobi).

Speaking at the event, NCBA Group MD, John Gachora, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the private sector, SACCOs, and the Government in driving Kenya’s economic transformation. He acknowledged SACCOs as pivotal to Kenya`s economy as they currently control over 30% of national savings and contribute over 40% of the country’s GDP and praised the Government’s ongoing support in creating a conducive regulatory environment. Gachora highlighted NCBA’s role in providing innovative solutions and enhancing cybersecurity measures with a spend of $31million last year to fortify its cybersecurity infrastructure.

The event highlighted several pressing concerns within the sector, notably the high costs associated with acquiring and maintaining Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats. These factors have emerged as significant barriers to the implementation of effective cyber-security strategies within Saccos.

Wycliffe Oparanya, the CS for Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, underscored the pivotal role SACCOs play in Kenya’s economic landscape during the NCBA SACCO Banking Forum. He stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between the government and private sector to strengthen SACCOs’ resilience. Oparanya praised NCBA for its leadership in cybersecurity innovation, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for SACCOs through digital transformation initiatives and policy reforms to drive sustainable growth and financial inclusion.

Moreover, the limited human resource capacity to address emerging threats in real time was identified as a core issue preventing Saccos from staying ahead of cybercriminals. The lack of specialised personnel to manage and mitigate risks underscores the urgent need for Saccos to invest in technological advancements and upskill their workforce.

The discussion also touched on the broader competitive landscape, with an overview that leveraging technology is not just essential but a prerequisite for Saccos to remain relevant and competitive. In an environment where financial institutions are rapidly adopting innovative technologies, Saccos must not only secure their operations but also enhance their service delivery to keep pace with industry peers.

NCBA Group is a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME and consumer banking customers. NCBA Group operates a network of more than 100 branches in five countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. Serving over 60 million customers, the NCBA Group is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers. NCBA Bank Kenya PLC is Kenya’s third-largest bank by assets. The Bank is set to play a key role in supporting Africa’s economic ambitions. The Bank is a market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance and Digital Banking.

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