AKELO Group

03/05/2023

Are you in the retail industry and looking for innovative ways to increase revenue, customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty? Look no further than big data analytics!

Today, big data analytics is being used throughout the entire retail process - from predicting popular products to identifying customers who are likely to be interested in those products and what to sell them next. Consumers want to be presented with products and promotions tailored to their preferences and habits, and big data collected from customer loyalty and rewards programs provides invaluable insights to help brands meet those demands.

One great example of this is Retail Engage, a division of the AKELO Group, which owns and operates one of the largest 'main market' shopper rewards programs in South Africa called bonsella. With over 10 million consumers targeted, bonsella enables brands to connect with a major proportion of the economically active main market consumer base in the country.

Don't miss out on the benefits that big data analytics can bring to your retail business - use it to increase revenue, improve the customer experience, and shape your brand for the future!

03/04/2023

A study by McKinsey & Company reveals that digital financial services could potentially provide access to financial services for 1.6 billion people in emerging economies by 2025, boosting GDP by 6% and creating up to 95 million jobs. While South Africa has made great strides with financial inclusion, many in the informal sector continue to transact in cash. Follow for more on .

According to a study by McKinsey & Company, digital financial services will potentially provide access to financial services for 1.6 billion people in emerging economies by 2025.

02/04/2023

According to a study by McKinsey & Company, digital financial services will potentially provide access to financial services for 1,6-billion people in emerging economies by 2025.

By Andrew Weinberg, CEO of the Akelo Group

The study found that these developments are projected to boost the collective annual gross domestic product (GDP) of emerging economies by $3,7-trillion – or 6% – by 2025, while creating up to 95-million jobs across all sectors.

In its 2012 National Development Plan, the South African government challenged the financial sector to achieve 90% financial inclusion by 2030. Great progress has been made since and 84% of the population is banked – a substantial increase from 46% in 2004 – which brings us more in line with these global statistics.

However, financial inclusion and its ability to fuel growth in South Africa remains limited as many people in the informal sector continue to transact in cash. In South Africa, financial inclusion for consumers seems to have shifted from an access issue to an adoption and usage issue: there are more than 80-million bank cards in circulation and a mobile pe*******on rate of 157%. Yet there is a decline in the use of these accounts and an increased utilisation of cash in the informal market.

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16/03/2023

As a fintech and media distribution platform, AKELO offers bespoke solutions designed to generate sustainable revenue streams from multiple products, while securing ownership of the last mile for each channel.

Our unique technologies and embedded IP enable us to provide a marketplace for embedded financial services and engagement solutions, connecting brands and underserved consumers across Africa and the Middle East.

Join us in unlocking new opportunities for financial inclusion and economic growth.

16/03/2023

The informal economy is a significant driver of economic activity in many countries, yet it remains largely excluded from the formal financial system. By digitising the informal economy, we can unlock its full potential and create a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

16/03/2023

Unlocking the Potential of the Informal Economy Through Digitization.

Digitising the informal economy is essential for achieving deep financial inclusion. According to a Mastercard study, while more than 50% of South Africa's informal enterprises had encountered strong customer interest in card payments, around 90% of them remain cash-only businesses. This loyalty to cash is often due to the lack of acquiring infrastructure in the informal sector.

Traditional acceptance channels, such as physical point-of-sale (POS) devices, are perceived as expensive, especially by micro-enterprises. Therefore, fintech companies are playing a key role in bringing financial services to the underserved. With their agility and responsiveness to market needs, fintechs have been able to offer some of the most innovative and customer-first payment offerings.

Learnings from other markets show that solutions that place the customer front-and-centre of product and service design have been particularly successful. A great South African example of this is Deposit @ Till, an innovation developed by AKELO subsidiary, Efficacy Payments.

Deposit @ Till enables consumers to make cash deposits directly into their card-linked bank accounts at selected retailers, eliminating the need to enter a bank branch. This is particularly valuable to workers and informal traders who need to deposit cash securely outside of banking hours.

By leveraging the power of fintech and designing solutions that cater to the needs of the informal sector, we can accelerate the pace of financial inclusion in South Africa and beyond.

16/03/2023

Fintechs and Traditional Banks Must Collaborate for Deep Financial Inclusion.

A recent study by McKinsey & Company suggests that digital financial services could potentially provide access to financial services for 1.6 billion people in emerging economies by 2025. This development could also boost the collective annual GDP of emerging economies by US$3.7 trillion – or 6 percent – by 2025, while creating up to 95 million jobs across all sectors.

In South Africa, the government has challenged the financial sector to achieve 90% financial inclusion by 2030, and significant progress has been made since 2004, with 84% of the population now banked. However, financial inclusion in South Africa remains limited as many people in the informal sector continue to transact in cash. Despite the fact that there are more than 80 million bank cards in circulation and a mobile pe*******on rate of 157%, there is a decline in the use of these accounts and an increased utilization of cash in the informal market.

To achieve deep financial inclusion, collaboration between traditional banks and fintechs is required. Together, we can address the adoption and usage issue and help bring more people into the formal financial system. This would not only benefit individuals but also contribute to the growth of the economy.

Let's work together to create a more financially inclusive society and unlock the full potential of emerging economies!

09/03/2023

Andrew Weinberg is Group CEO at AKELO and CEO of Retail Engage with over 25 years’ experience in helping build companies across multiple industries, in the consumer and brand marketing industry.

Since starting Retail Engage and 2Engage in 2010, the organisation has become one of the largest main market and independent FMCG marketing businesses in SA, with CRM programs operated across 10 countries.

Skilled in business development, strategy and organisational structuring, together with strong leadership and business growth skills, across multiple industry sectors, he is also the Winner of the 2019, SA Entrepreneur of the Year.

09/03/2023

Are you a brand manager or senior management professional in FMCG? It's time to up your customer retention game with a loyalty program!

According to McKinsey, loyalty program members spend 67% more than new customers. That's a compelling reason to invest in a loyalty program for your brand. By tracking customer spending habits and preferences, you'll have access to valuable data that leads to increased engagement and revenue.

📈 Top-performing loyalty programs lead to behavior changes that generate more value for businesses. In fact, 64% of loyalty program members purchase more frequently.

Don't miss out on these benefits! 📞Contact us today to learn more about creating a loyalty program that meets the unique needs of your FMCG brand.

09/03/2023

Are you running a loyalty program for your business?

It's no longer a luxury, but a standard for companies to invest in and prioritize loyalty programs. According to HubSpot, existing customers spend 67% more than new customers, making loyalty programs a worthy investment.

In South Africa, 73% of economically active individuals are using an average of 9.2 loyalty programs, almost triple the average from 2014.

By participating in a loyalty program, customers generate valuable data that companies can use to track their spending habits and preferences, resulting in increased engagement and revenue.

Studies show that loyalty program members are more likely to purchase frequently, and top-performing loyalty programs lead to changes in customer behavior, generating more value for businesses. So, if you haven't implemented a loyalty program for your business, it's time to start now.

➡️ Ready to take your business to the next level?

💰Implement a loyalty program today and start reaping the benefits of increased customer engagement and revenue.

📧 Contact us to learn how we can help you create a successful loyalty program that meets the needs of your business and customers.

09/03/2023

Get ready to speak freely and be heard with bonsella® Mobile - the newest addition to our retail rewards and customer loyalty program. With bonsella® Mobile, you can enjoy the best prepaid and mobile bundle packages, all while earning double rewards and more!🤩

Signing up is easy - just head to one of our independent retail partner stores, purchase a bonsella® Mobile SIM card and complete the fully digital RICA process on a tablet with the help of one of our agents.

And the best part? Your bonsella® Mobile SIM will remain active as long as you're a member.📱

So, what are you waiting for? Join bonsella® Mobile today and enjoy amazing benefits and value. Keep a look-out for our exciting deals coming your way.🥳

For more information, visit our website: www.bonsellamobile.co.za

07/03/2023

Unlock the Power of Payment Simplicity with Crossgate: Your Ultimate Solution for Retail, Banking and emerging markets.

As the payments landscape becomes more complex, Crossgate is here to simplify it. Our company specializes in enabling payments for major retailers and banks in South Africa, including the likes of ABSA, Checkers, FNB, and Woolworths. With 303 million cards issued and R49 billion worth of transactions enabled, we are proud to have 85% of this sector's market share.

At Crossgate, we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. That's why we offer a range of tools and services to meet any card program's needs. Our offerings include card solutions, mobile payments, transaction processing, and intelligence and analytics. By partnering with our clients, we are able to evolve their card programs to mobile payments and beyond, while providing world-class solutions that utilize AI to increase profitability.

With a focus on the retail, banking, and transit sectors, as well as emerging markets, we are passionate about delivering secure, simplified products that help our clients provide an optimal customer experience.

Join us in simplifying the payments landscape!



📧 [email protected] | [email protected]

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your payment goals.

www.crossgate.co.za {links in bio}

Crossgate is an AKELO Group Company.