Digitalization as a lever for access to financial services

Leveraging the rapid digital, particularly mobile, transformation of the continent, Advans is reducing barriers to financial access and strengthening micro finance in Africa by offering connected clients a range of financial services available 24/7, directly from their mobile phones, wherever they may be. This approach reflects the role of international microfinance institutions in combining technology and proximity to expand access to responsible financial services.

In Nigeria, Advans La Fayette launched its first client mobile application, Adspire, in 2021. In August 2025, a new version, Adspire V2, was introduced, notably enabling customers to apply for loans fully online. By making Advans’ core financial services accessible remotely, the application provides a valuable solution for clients who live far from branches or have limited availability.

Key features of the Adspire application

The new version of the Adspire application, developed by Advans Nigeria, delivers a fully digital experience for financial services, adapted to the needs of African entrepreneurs. Adspire V2 enables 100% digital account opening, allowing users to create a savings or current account in just minutes through a streamlined process that includes OTP verification and a personal PIN code. The app provides real-time account access, letting customers check balances and transaction history at any time. Users can transfer funds between their own accounts, to other Advans accounts, or to other Nigerian banks. Adspire also facilitates bill payments — electricity, water, internet — as well as mobile airtime top-ups directly within the app. Eligible customers can access instant microloans and the solution also offers advanced security and personalization features, including fingerprint or password authentication, the ability to show or hide balances on screen, and customizable user profiles (photo, preferences).

Strong early performance

The rollout of Adspire V2 was supported by intensive training to ensure rapid and effective adoption of the solution. Nearly 500 staff members were trained locally to support the launch. Just one month after going live, the initial results were highly encouraging: a 95% success rate across all customer transactions, demonstrating the platform’s technical reliability; 3,500 registered subscribers, 76% of whom are active users; and a daily transaction volume already exceeding that of the previous version. It is worth noting that within the Advans network, Advans Ghana and Advans Côte d’Ivoire also offer a mobile banking application called My Advans, tailored to their local markets.

Through solutions such as Adspire V2 and MyAdvans, Advans continues to strengthen international microfinance by combining digital innovation with a client-centric approach. By expanding access to micro lending in Africa and remote financial services, the Group reinforces its commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable impact, ensuring that technology remains a powerful enabler of financial inclusion.

To learn more, you can discover our different applications here and how Digital Banking is transforming local economies in West Africa, through the video interview of Amand Abban, who is in charge of Digital Banking and Alternative Distribution Channels at Advans Ghana, as he reflects on the pivotal role of innovation in the evolution of financial services, from digital lending to payment and collection solutions.