Month: August 2025

Azar is a name that has lived in Ghanaian homes for generations. Established in 1921, the brand has become synonymous with quality paints and coatings. Today, its showroom is a busy hub where customers stream in daily for paints, hardware, tools, and waterproofing solutions. 

Now, imagine running such a place with only cash payments. That was Azar’s reality in the early years when digital payments were not so popular. Customers who came with their cards had to find the nearest ATM to withdraw cash, and sometimes, they never returned. 

Later, Azar introduced POS machines to collect payments, but this also came with its own set of problems. “Sometimes the payment would go, but it would not appear on our system,” recalls Mr. Jesse Eglow, Senior Salesman at Azar. 

These challenges didn’t just frustrate customers; they cost sales. 

A Better Way to Pay 

Switching to Hubtel’s Unique USSD felt like a breath of fresh air. Customers no longer had to depend on cash or cards. Payments could now be made instantly from any mobile device, without worrying about internet or network failures. 

“The time for processing is just within 20 seconds, and it’s done,” Jesse explains. “Before, you’d be standing there for two minutes or more. The speed has helped us serve more customers in a day.” 

For Mr. Marc Jarjoura, Assistant Showroom Manager, the ease of use makes a big difference. “At the end of the day, when we’re closing, I just access my dashboard and check the sales done for the day. It’s very easy to navigate.” 

More Than Speed 

Beyond convenience, security has been another big win. With mobile money fraud on the rise, Hubtel’s system gives Azar extra peace of mind. Payments go straight into the Hubtel wallet; traceable and protected. Fraudsters don’t even get the chance to call or trick anyone. 

Customers have noticed the change and embraced it. At first, some needed a little guidance, but before long, many preferred it. “Our regular customers have seen the improvement and are enjoying using the USSD,” Jesse says. 

Standing Out Through Service 

For Azar, one thing that has always been non-negotiable is quality service. In an area filled with competing shops, standing out is essential. 

“We like to have the most advanced system in serving our customers,” says Marc. “This area is full of shops, so you need something different. Customers come here and say the service we give; they don’t see it anywhere else.” 

With Hubtel’s Unique USSD, Azar has been able to serve customers faster, reduce stress at the counter, and strengthen its reputation for excellent service. 

When asked to describe the payment solution in one word, Jesse said “Speed.” Marc added, “Efficiency.” 

For a company that has served Ghanaians for more than 100 years, embracing payment solutions like Hubtel’s Unique USSD shows that Azar is not just keeping up with the times, but setting the pace for what excellent customer service should look like. 

Walk into Baatsona Total Mart on a weekday evening and you’ll find it buzzing. Customers shopping for up groceries, grabbing household essentials, or stopping by for a few imported treats on their way home. Over the years, the mart has become part of daily life in the Baatsona community. 

But behind the checkout counters, things weren’t always this smooth. Payments used to be a pain point. Customers who preferred to pay electronically often grew frustrated with delays, failed transactions, or waiting in line at one counter just to complete their purchase. And soon, they started comparing their experience. 

“Some customers would say, when we go to other marts, it’s much easier to pay than when we come here,” recalls Stella, the mart supervisor. “It was frustrating because they expected us to match up.” 

Finding a payment solution that works 

In 2023, the mart switched to Hubtel’s All-in-One POS, and for the staff, the experience has been a turning point. “For me, it was the stability of the network,” says Nii Okai, another supervisor. “Payments no longer cut halfway. Customers can pay right at the counter without waiting or worrying.” 

The difference was visible for both staff and customers. Queues began moving faster, reconciliation at the end of the day was easier, and customers noticed the improvement. “Our regular customers saw it,” Stella adds. “They no longer had to struggle with payments. It makes a big difference.” 

Keeping service first 

For Baatsona Mart, good service has always been non-negotiable. Alongside stocking the right products and keeping prices competitive, the team knows convenience is what keeps customers coming back. “Customer service is non-negotiable for us,” Stella explains. “And having Hubtel’s POS helps us deliver on that promise.” 

A system you can rely on 

Today, both customers and staff enjoy the ease and reliability that Hubtel’s All-in One POS brings. Payments feel less like a struggle and more like part of the service. Transactions go through without stress, customers don’t have to wait as long, and the staff can focus on helping shoppers instead of battling with failed payments. 

“If another business asked me, I’d definitely recommend Hubtel,” says Nii Okai without hesitation. “Because it makes payments smoother for customers and keeps your operations running.” 

For Baatsona Mart, that reliability has made all the difference. 

When you walk into Tekled’s showroom, you’re greeted with rows of bright lights and modern electrical fittings that instantly catch the eye. The space reflects exactly what Tekled stands for: quality, and reliability. 

Tekled began its journey in Ghana in 2017, opening the very first branch of the global brand in Africa. In just a few years, it has grown into a trusted name for electricals and lighting, serving homeowners, contractors, and businesses across Accra. 

But as the customer base grew, so did the realities of handling payments. In the early days, transactions were mostly through cash, card, or mobile money. While these worked, they came with limits. Cash carried its risks, some customers avoided card payments, and mobile money charges made high-value purchases less appealing. “Day by day, you need to provide more options for the clients,” says Mr. Fatih Sultan, Finance Manager at Tekled. “You have to make it easy for them to pay.” 

Cutting down the cost of payments 

The search for a better solution led Tekled to Hubtel’s Unique USSD. For Fatih, the biggest advantage was avoiding extra charges. At the time, the E-Levy had been introduced, and many customers disliked using digital transfers because of the added cost on every transaction. Hubtel USSD gave them a better option. “Customers didn’t like the digital transfers because of the E-Levy charges, but with Hubtel, they didn’t have to pay that,” Fatih explains. “That helped our customers, and the business as well.” 

For a business selling high-value items, this was a big shift. Customers who once hesitated to pay large amounts digitally now felt comfortable using Hubtel. 

Serving customers beyond the showroom 

Beyond saving on charges,  Hubtel’s Unique USSD brought convenience in transacting. Customers no longer needed to be physically present to do business. “Now, customers who are not even in Accra, who cannot come to the showroom, can directly transact with us,” Fatih explains. “They can pay with the USSD from wherever they are, and we will send their order to them.” 

This flexibility has helped Tekled serve more customers, improve convenience, and build stronger trust. 

Payments made easy 

For Fatih, as a finance director, another merit has been transparency. “The dashboard helps me track payments easily. I can check everything instantly,” he says. In the past, reconciling payments through telcos required long, formal requests. “Before, you had to write an official letter to get statements,” Fatih recalls. “Now, with Hubtel, everything is available immediately.” We can log into the merchant dashboard and see all transactions in real time. It shows who paid, how much, and so reconciliation is easy.  

Looking forward 

At its core, Tekled has always been about quality and reliability, and those values extend beyond its products to how it serves customers. With Hubtel’s Unique USSD, the company is not only keeping payments simple and secure but also opening new ways to connect with customers far beyond its showroom doors. 

“It’s about making things easier for the customer,” Fatih sums up. “Hubtel helps us do that.”