Ecobank has entered into a partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate financial inclusion and innovation across Africa.

The collaboration is set to leverage Google Cloud’s advanced analytics and AI to enhance Ecobank’s digital offerings and accelerate the bank’s digital transformation.

The partnership is poised to deliver significant benefits, including improved financial accessibility through streamlined money transfers, support for SME growth, and the development of more intuitive digital banking platforms.

Google Cloud’s scalable infrastructure and Apigee API solutions will play a crucial role in making financial transactions faster, more affordable, and more accessible.

A core objective of the collaboration is to empower African businesses by leveraging Google Cloud’s data analytics and AI-driven insights.

Ecobank plans to develop solutions that improve access to finance for SMEs, simplify payment acceptance, and provide valuable insights to help businesses scale in over 33 African countries.

The collaboration will also focus on creating seamless digital banking experiences, with Google Cloud’s secure infrastructure and AI technologies enabling Ecobank’s developers and customers to integrate innovative financial solutions. This includes fintech partners providing core banking services such as accounts, payments, and lending.

Ecobank aims to use Google’s data analytics, AI, and machine learning to better understand and anticipate customer needs, leading to more relevant and personalised financial products.

Google Cloud’s Professional Services team will provide ongoing support to ensure the successful implementation of technology and the realization of the collaboration’s goals.

Ecobank Group CEO Jeremy Awori said: “Our collaboration with Google Cloud is a leap forward in Ecobank’s digital transformation journey. We look forward to leveraging Google Cloud’s world-class technology to unlock new possibilities for individuals and businesses to grow and scale across Africa.”

This agreement marks a commitment to exploring how technology can unlock opportunities for Africans and contribute to a digitally empowered and economically vibrant future for the continent. Ecobank and Google Cloud will also look into expanding their collaboration by tapping into other Google solutions and services.

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said: “Google Cloud and Ecobank have a shared vision for using technology to help deliver financial empowerment to more people and businesses in Africa. We look forward to exploring the ways our cutting-edge AI, powerful data analytics, and scalable infrastructure can support Ecobank efforts to fuel the continent’s economic development and digital future.”