Namibian banking transformed through IT
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – A partnership between SAP, the multinational software corporation, and a multinational professional services firm, Ernst & Young (EY), has been lauded for driving sustainable digital
development banking in Namibia.
Among the institutions that have benefitted is the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) , which has adopted technology by SAP.
EY Africa was instrumental in implementing the technology platform that enabled the stratospheric growth.
“With the support of the SAP Business Suite for Banking platform and close, long-standing relationships with the client, we have seen their business grow and evolve to become one of the leading forces shaping the Namibian economy,” said Brad Scott-King, Director for IT Advisory at EY Africa.
Scott-King said implementing continual improvements to the DBN had been a key to success.
“It’s not necessary to follow a big bang approach to implementing an SAP system. It’s more a matter of understanding the roadmap of the business and having a relationship that enables us to effectively deploy functionality as and when needed. This has allowed us to support the business throughout its growth path,” said Scott-King.
EY Africa started their partnership with the DBN at the organisation’s early stages, implementing a finance and loans management platform to improve the running of its loan book.
By the time the bank celebrated its tenth birthday in 2014, it boasted a loan book of N$3-billion and employed close to 100 staff members.
Renier van Rooyen, Chief Financial Officer at the bank, said flexibility of the system and quality of support were key considerations when they opted for SAP.
“Having a good relationship with our implementation partner ensured that the DBN never over-invested in technology but could still gradually grow our management information system to where it is today,” said van Royen.
He said the bank now boasted one of the best possible banking solutions available for development finance institutions.
Brett Parker, Managing Director at SAP Africa, said strong, robust and flexible technology platforms that are able to adapt to the needs of a constantly changing business environment can mean the difference between success and failure in the Digital Economy.
“By building strong relationships with our customers and partners and deploying the correct technology solution at the correct time, we build trust with our customers that quickly produces tangible and lasting benefits to their businesses,” added Parker.
– CAJ News
