#SomeoneHadToDoIt - The Evolution of Communication and Payments

Every day, new products tailored for different reasons and demographics, emerge. However, taking centre stage is not entirely the newness of these innovative products, but their personalization.

In the payments and communication sector, innovation has become intuitive – from how we pay or buy, or how we connect to friends and family, people’s choices have become skewed to the more convenient products. Innovators have recognized this trend and are developing strategies and products in response to it.

Their response?

Developing products that are not transactional devices, or restricted to interpersonal interaction, but value adding devices that are built to incorporate the ever-changing needs of consumers. This simply means products and services have now become integrated into the everyday life of consumers, enabling them to carry out their daily activities hassle-free.

With this response, innovators have not only been able to give consumers what they want, which is “convenience,” but have also been able to help these consumers achieve the ultimate consumer’s experience – a strong determiner of product longevity.

The ultimate consumer experience for innovators in the sector of payments and communication has not only been determined by the personal needs of consumers but also, the growing penetration of mobile phones in the global market. Today, every trend points to the evident reality: mobile is the future of payment and connections and innovators are keying into it – inventing new and better ways to pay and connect with the world, real-time.

A great example of this kind of innovation is Habari, an app focused on enabling people’s needs and lifestyles. With Habari, users have direct access to the largest catalogue of local and foreign music online, a seamless shopping experience and an exciting way to connect with friends, amongst other features. In simple terms, Habari allows consumers to play, chat, shop, and pay.

Habari is an example of reimagining the role of banking and driving innovation in how customers are served because, consumers ‘don’t need banks, they need banking,’ and other products that will enable their lifestyle. Although Habari is the latest innovation of foremost African financial Institution, Guaranty Trust Bank, the app is open to everyone, irrespective of their bank preference or location.

This evolution of communication and payments, where these and more can be done in one platform without switching tab, has now created the kind of convenience that users crave for. With a consumer-centric app like Habari, the goal to achieve the ultimate consumer experience has been established, however, the innovative journey of Habari continues as the app is not a destination.