Hubtel has strengthened its commitment to youth empowerment and digital inclusion by sponsoring an Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme organised by Brainwave AfricaTech. The Brainwave AfricaTech – AI Explorer’s Club is aimed at equipping young learners, many from under-resourced communities, with practical and future-ready technology skills. 

The programme, delivered through Brainwave’s AI Explorers Club, introduced pupils to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, ethical AI use, prompt writing, image and video generation and real-life applications of AI in education and creativity. 

Speaking at the event, Augustine Gyawu Adjei, Head of Engineering at Hubtel, said the company’s involvement was driven by a shared vision to prepare young people early for the digital future. 

“When I first looked at the mission and vision of this programme, it went in line with what Hubtel wants to do,” he said. “It is a great initiative to help young children, especially those in underdeveloped areas, understand where the technology journey is going.” 

According to him, early exposure is no longer optional. 

“We need to start now. We can’t wait. Our children need to learn how to learn, how to make quick decisions, how to be confident, and how to distinguish between good technology and unneeded technology,” he added. 

One of the programme’s beneficiaries, Annan Crystal, a pupil of  Osu Manhean Basic School, shared her excitement after using AI tools for the first time. 

During a practical session, the pupil demonstrated how she used Leonardo AI, an image-generation platform, to create futuristic designs. 

“We are using an AI application called Leonardo AI to generate images,” she explained. “I gave a prompt for a futuristic car to look like gold, and it created a golden futuristic car. This is what I’m practising to present to an audience.” 

For her, the experience was eye-opening. 

“I’m enjoying it because you don’t usually get an opportunity to use AI like this. This is my first time seeing that AI can do all these things,” she said. 

Beyond creativity, she has already begun to understand AI’s economic potential. 

“I will tell my friends that AI can create images and also help us make money. You can generate works using AI and earn from it,” she added. 

Innovation and Product Development Lead at Brainwave, Caleb Jimoh, explained that the programme is structured to move learners from curiosity to capability. Participants begin with the AI Explorers Club, advance to the Builders Club for hands-on projects, and later transition into the Innovators phase, where they develop more complex solutions with real-world relevance. 

He noted that the goal is not just to teach children how to use AI tools, but to encourage them to become creators and problem-solvers. 

“We want the next generation to think beyond how AI can serve them and begin to integrate AI into how they build solutions and empower their communities.” 

Despite initial misconceptions about AI, facilitators observed growing confidence and enthusiasm among participants as the weeks progressed. 

Academy Manager at Brainwave and a facilitator of the programme, Elizabeth Addai, highlighted the importance of Hubtel’s sponsorship in making the training accessible. 

“Some of these kids had never used a computer before. Some schools don’t even have ICT labs,” she said. “Without Hubtel’s support, many of these children would never have had access to opportunities like this.” 

Over the four-week programme, children developed digital literacy skills, learned responsible AI use, and gained confidence in using computers and emerging technologies. 

“They now speak confidently about AI and are excited to go back to school to teach their friends and even their teachers,” she added. 

Hubtel has indicated its readiness to continue investing in initiatives that build confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills among Ghana’s youth. 

READ ALSO: Hubtel Opens Ghana’s First Indigenous AI Lab 

“As far as our mission carries us, we will support anything that helps the rising generation become confident problem-solvers,” Augustine said. 

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to education, work, and innovation, the Hubtel-Brainwave partnership stands as a strong example of how private-sector leadership can create meaningful, measurable impact, one child, one idea, and one opportunity at a time. 

About Hubtel 

Hubtel is a Ghanaian technology company licensed by the Bank of Ghana as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider. The company enables businesses to accept payments, including mobile money, cards, and QR, manage transactions, and connect with customers through messaging and commerce. 

Individuals also use the Hubtel App to pay bills, send money, and access essential services. Founded in 2005, Hubtel operates 12 offices nationwide and employs over 600 people across Ghana. 

In 2024, Hubtel launched Ghana’s first indigenous AI Lab, a dedicated research and development unit applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance fraud detection, strengthen user engagement, and improve credit assessment systems.

They say growth changes you, right? For us at Hubtel, it meant rethinking our spaces to better support our people, our culture, and the customers we serve every day. 

Over the past months, we have taken a major step in that direction by opening new offices, relocating teams into more strategic locations, and redesigning existing spaces. Today, we operate in 11 cities nationwide, bringing us closer to our partners while creating workplaces that reflect how we collaborate, build, and serve. 

As our teams continued to grow, our previous setups began to show their limits. Teams were spread across multiple locations, collaboration required extra effort, and some spaces had simply outgrown their original purpose. Rather than make incremental adjustments, we chose to take a more intentional approach, one that aligned our physical spaces with our culture and long-term vision. 

WATCH FULL OFFICE TOUR

Across Accra, teams that once operated from different locations were brought together into more accessible and strategic offices in areas such as Kwabenya, La Trade Fair, and Mile 11. The head office in Kokomlemle has also been renovated. In Kumasi, teams from Kentinkrono, Tanoso, and Kumasi City Mall have now been moved into a new office in Ahodwo. 

These decisions were driven by the need to encourage collaboration and strengthen company culture. Just as importantly, the new and upgraded offices were designed to accommodate team growth, with enough space and facilities to support both current operations and future expansion. 

Beyond location, the experience inside each office was carefully considered. Renovated spaces were redesigned with more flexible, open layouts that support different ways of working. Office capacity was increased, complemented by hot desking zones, new meeting rooms, and dedicated booths. Talk Solo for individual calls and Talk Plus for small conversations. These features make it easier for teams to collaborate without compromising focus. 

READ ALSO: Alex Bram on Asempa FM: The Hubtel Journey, Lessons, and the Power of Being Useful Everyday

Each office also includes shared areas that encourage informal connection. Lounges provide space to pause, exchange ideas, or host conversations with partners in a relaxed environment. The goal was to create spaces that feel functional, comfortable, and welcoming, not just for staff, but for everyone who walks through our doors. 

Each office was selected for accessibility, reliable transport links, and proximity to merchant communities and strategic partners. Being closer to the people we serve allows teams to respond faster, build stronger relationships, and deliver better support. 

As Hubtel continues to grow, we will keep refining our spaces to support collaboration and innovation. We remain committed to creating the right environment for our people to work together, and for partners to feel that difference every day. 

For years, conversations around women in tech have focused heavily on representation. How many women are in the room, how many are hired, how many are visible. In an episode of the Hubtel podcast, Marjorie Saint-Lot, Global Digital Transformation and Market Expansion Strategist, who also sits on the Hubtel board as a Non-Executive Director, challenged that narrative, citing that representation without real influence is not enough.

“The next layer for women isn’t visibility,” she says. “It’s access to risk.” 

Marjorie brings over 20 years of experience across Africa, Europe, and North America, with leadership roles at companies like Uber and Orange, and now as Founder and CEO of Yarey Consultancy Group and Fanga. Her career has spanned telecoms, mobility, fintech, and board leadership, each chapter shaping her views on scale, trust, and inclusion. 

READ ALSO: Patience Akyianu Is New Board Chair, Hans Nilsson Retires After a Decade of Service

Leadership Is About Livelihoods, Not Metrics 

Early in her career, Marjorie believed leadership was largely about hitting metrics. That belief changed during her time in Haiti, where she pushed for an anti-seismic head office despite cost pressures. Two years later, an earthquake struck. 

“Eight hundred people were in that building,” she recalls. “That decision saved 800 lives.” 

For her, leadership stopped being about CapEx targets and became about responsibility, influence, and long-term impact. 

Trust Scales, Popularity Doesn’t 

When asked what matters more in tech: reliability or trust, Marjorie was very clear. 

“Trust is what scales. You don’t grow by being liked.” 

In her view, reliability is simply one of the outcomes of trust. Without it, products fail to scale, brands struggle to endure, and ecosystems collapse under pressure. 

This belief extends to her broader approach to growth. Global playbooks, she argues, often fail in African markets. 

“Local nuance matters. Culture, behaviour, sociology, these things don’t copy and paste.” 

Building New Tables, Not Asking for Seats 

One of the most striking moments in the conversation comes when Marjorie was asked whether she prefers having a seat at the table or building a new one. 

“I’ll build my own table,” she says. “Real inclusion isn’t about access. It’s about reshaping how decisions are made.” 

For women in tech, the challenge is not competence or ambition. It is access to risk, access to capital, access to decision-making power, and crucially, access to failure. 

“Men are allowed to fail. Women often aren’t. Without that safety net, you can’t stretch, experiment, or scale.” 

The Real Power of Financial Inclusion Is Quiet 

Marjorie explains that the true impact of financial inclusion isn’t flashy or attention-grabbing. Rather, it’s in the seamless, everyday experiences it enables.  

When systems work as intended, payments are reliable, and people can make decisions with confidence.  

“When inclusion works, it’s boring,” she says, “because the real success is invisible, quietly improving lives and giving people the freedom to focus on what matters most.” 

Why Hubtel’s Role Matters 

As a member of Hubtel’s Advisory Board, Marjorie is particularly excited about the company’s focus on infrastructure and local relevance. 

“Hubtel is building real infrastructure for tomorrow. Combine that with local understanding, and that’s incredibly powerful.” 

She believes Africa’s next major leap will come from interoperability, platforms, and connected ecosystems, not standalone apps. In fact, she sees Africa as having the potential to lead this shift, if policy, governance, and innovation grow together. 

READ ALSO: International Women’s Day: Inspiring Inclusion with Women at Hubtel

Advice for Women in Tech 

Her advice to women navigating tech careers is simple but demanding. 

“Build competence relentlessly. Confidence comes from competence.” 

And in her final words, she borrows from a French expression, il faut oser which means one must dare. 

“Just try. Step into the room. Learn the thing. Stop questioning whether you should. The time you spend questioning is time you’re not doing.” 

Big companies don’t always begin with big ideas.
 
Hubtel’s story started with a small idea, from three young men who saw an opportunity and chased it. 

In a recent interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen show, Hubtel CEO, Alex Bram shared how that simple beginning grew into Ghana’s leading fintech. 

The show, hosted by Mr. Osei Bonsu, aimed to equip entrepreneurs, business owners, and young professionals with practical guidance for the new year through its annual “Beginning the Year Right” series. 

The interview was a reflective conversation about the realities of building a technology business from the ground up. 

WATCH FULL INTERVIEW HERE 

Where It All Began 

Alex traced his entrepreneurial journey back to 1998 at St. Augustine’s College, where he and his Science 2 classmates, Ernest Apenteng and Leslie Gyimah, first explored the idea of building something together. 

Their first venture was a school magazine called Student Rally, which failed, but planted an early seed. 

“At that time, I had a strong drive to be successful,” Alex shared. “Back then, success felt like it came through these three paths: becoming a professional like a doctor or lawyer, travelling abroad, or starting a business.” 

Medicine did not work out. Travelling abroad followed. In 2003, Alex and Ernest moved to London, taking up menial jobs. But that chapter did not feel like the future. 

By the time they returned to Ghana, text messaging was gaining ground. In 2005, on their last day of school, they started SMSGH and built it from Alex’s father’s dining hall, using a single Pentium 3 computer. 

The idea was simple: help businesses communicate with customers through SMS alerts, and broadcasts. 

Early Wins and Hard Lessons 

The early days were tough. Big banks would not grant them meetings. So, they started small, working with travel and tour companies, then later with airlines. 

Their first big break came with North American Airlines, earning them five million cedis in old currency. From there, insurance companies and banks followed. 

By 2007, SMSGH had crossed half a million dollars in revenue. 

But Alex made one thing clear, early success did not lead to comfort. 

“We didn’t spend the money on luxury,” he said. “Our first office was my bedroom. By day it was an office, by night it was where I slept.” 

Titles did not matter in the very early stages, as the focus was on building the company and putting in a collective effort and dedication. Alex moved between operations, sales, marketing, and management, doing whatever the business needed at the time. 

When Growth Slowed  

Between 2009 and 2012, the company continued to build. But by 2013, something had changed. Growth dropped from the previously recorded 300% to about 30%, then down to 9% by 2015. 

“The market had evolved,” Alex explained. “Internet usage had increased, WhatsApp had come, and SMS alone was no longer enough. Businesses needed more, especially around payments.” 

That realisation marked a turning point. 

The Pivot to Hubtel 

In 2017, SMSGH officially rebranded to Hubtel. 

The change was not just in name. It was a complete shift in direction, from messaging to payments and digital services. 

Between 2016 and 2018, the company restructured, lost some employees, and rebuilt with a stronger focus on product, engineering, and long-term relevance. At the time of the rebrand, Hubtel had approximately 110 staff members. Today, the company has over 700 staff members. 

Alex also shared one of the toughest strategic decisions the company made, closing Hubtel’s offices in Kenya, Nigeria, and Cameroon to focus fully on Ghana. 

“Africa is big,” he said, “but we wanted to build a brand that Ghanaians truly loved before expanding elsewhere.” 

Becoming Ghana’s Leading Fintech 

By the end of 2022, Hubtel had become Ghana’s largest fintech by transaction volume. 

Hubtel processes about 3.5 million transactions daily, representing roughly 10-12% of the Ghanaian market, with room to grow. 

Beyond payments and commerce, Hubtel also supports government digitalisation, having contributed to platforms like Ghana.GOV and the ECG Power app, helping improve public service delivery. 

Trust, Governance, and Leadership 

Trust, Alex emphasised, starts internally. For him, trust start with how a company treats its people. 

Hubtel’s focus on transparency allowed businesses to see every transaction clearly, helping build confidence over time. 

Strong governance also played a major role. Alex highlighted the impact of experienced board members such as Patience Akyianu, who helped strengthen financial discipline after the company recorded a significant accounting loss during its transition years. 

“When you have a strong board, they can call you to order,” he noted. 

Innovation, Failure, and Building in Africa 

On innovation, Alex encouraged African entrepreneurs to adopt a mindset of testing and iteration. 

“In other markets, people test and fail until it works. Here, we tend to be too cautious.” 

His advice was simple: test your ideas, tweak when they fail, and choose ideas that match your capacity and resources. 

Timing, he added, also matters. 

“Momentum is key. If I had finished school today, I’m not sure the same opportunities would exist.” 

READ ALSO: Hubtel Awarded Overall Best Fintech Partner at the MobileMoney Fintech Stakeholder Dinner & Awards 

Hubtel Newest Innovation – BackOffice App  

Alex also touched on Hubtel’s latest innovation, the Hubtel BackOffice, which allows businesses to use smartphones as POS devices. With NFC-enabled phones, customers can tap cards, pay via mobile money, QR codes, and complete transactions without additional hardware. 

A Message to Young Entrepreneurs 

Alex closed with a message rooted in persistence and purpose. 

“Don’t be scared of failure. We’ve failed many times. Dedication, focus, and consistency are what make it work.” 

He described Hubtel’s guiding philosophy as being useful every day, not just for businesses and customers, but also internally, ensuring employees feel fulfilled by the value they create. 

Conclusion 

Alex Bram’s interview on Asempa FM was more than a founder story. It was a relatable conversation on resilience, adaptability, and building with intention in Ghana. 

As the main sponsor of the Beginning the Year Right series, Hubtel’s participation reinforced its commitment not just to technology but to empowering businesses, supporting entrepreneurs, and contributing meaningfully to Ghana’s digital future. 

Hubtel today announced an update to its General Terms of Service, aimed at improving clarity around service usage and platform compliance.  The update is part of Hubtel’s ongoing effort to maintain a secure and reliable payment platform for merchants and their customers. As our services continue to support a wide range of transaction volumes, it is important that expectations around acceptable use and compliance are clearly stated and well understood. 

Before this update, Hubtel’s General Terms of Service already set out a list of restrictions that guide how the platform should be used. These include prohibitions against unlawful activity, fraud, misuse of customer data, and actions that could compromise system security or harm other users. Those rules remain unchanged. What has now been added is clearer guidance on the actions Hubtel may take if there is reason to believe those restrictions have been breached. 

The update introduces a new section titled “Actions by Hubtel.” This section explains that where Hubtel, using its discretion, believes an account may be involved in activities that violate the Restrictions, it may take steps to reduce risk, protect affected parties, and ensure compliance with the Terms. Depending on the situation, these actions may be taken with or without prior notice. 

In such cases, Hubtel may block the settlement or completion of one or more payments while a potential issue is reviewed. This is a precautionary step commonly used in payment services to prevent further exposure while concerns are assessed. 

Hubtel may also suspend, restrict, or terminate access to its services if continued use of the platform presents a compliance or security risk. In more serious situations, the update clarifies that Hubtel may choose to end its business relationship with a merchant altogether, including terminating any payment service agreement, without liability to Hubtel. 

Where necessary, Hubtel may take legal action to protect the platform or address violations. The updated Terms also explain that Hubtel may share relevant information related to such violations with parties who may be affected. This could include customers who bought from or sold to the merchant, banks or card networks involved in the transactions, law enforcement or regulatory authorities, and other third parties impacted by the activity. 

Additionally, where violations result in costs to Hubtel, the company may assess fees, penalties, or expenses against the merchant. This may include reasonable legal or administrative costs incurred as a result of the violation, which the merchant would be required to settle upon notice. 

For the majority of merchants who use Hubtel responsibly and in line with the Terms, this update does not change everyday operations. Payments, settlements, and access to services will continue as normal. The purpose of the update is to clearly explain what may happen in situations where platform rules are breached, not to introduce new restrictions or obligations. 

Merchants are encouraged to review the updated General Terms of Service, particularly the Restrictions section, to ensure they understand acceptable use of the platform and to ensure that anyone with access to their account does the same. 

The full updated Terms & Conditions can be found here. Merchants who have questions or need further clarification can reach out to their Relationship Managers for assistance. 

Hubtel has been honoured as the Overall Best Fintech Partner at the Fintech Stakeholder Dinner & Awards 2025, hosted by MobileMoney LTD, the mobile financial services subsidiary of MTN Ghana.

The ceremony, held under the theme “Celebrating the Power of Partnership and Service Excellence in Fintech,” brought together regulators, financial institutions, and innovators who continue to shape Ghana’s digital financial landscape. 

This year’s event highlighted the role of collaboration in driving industry progress. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Mr. Shaibu Haruna, CEO of MobileMoney LTD, highlighted that the company’s progress has always been driven by partnerships with businesses and customers who trust the Mobile Money ecosystem every day. He added that the awards night is a way of appreciating “the people and institutions who continue to push Ghana’s fintech frontier forward.” 

READ ALSO: Hubtel Sweeps Four Awards at 2025 Digital Innovation Awards 

Hubtel received both the Overall Best Fintech Partner award and a Citation of Honour, acknowledging the company’s commitment to enabling everyone to easily partake in today’s digital economy through its operational excellence, innovation, and safe delivery of digital payment services.

The citation commended Hubtel for its “exceptional leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence in Ghana’s digital financial landscape.” Hubtel’s dedication to building secure payment infrastructure, combined with strong compliance with the Payment Systems & Services Act (PSSA), was also recognized as setting a benchmark across the fintech sector. 

The event underscored the importance of trust and compliance in sustaining Ghana’s fintech growth. Speaking at the event, Mr. Hayford Kumah, Head of the FinTech Oversight and Supervision Unit, Bank of Ghana, emphasized that “trust will remain the foundation of Ghana’s digital financial evolution.”

He reiterated that the central bank’s mandate is to foster “trust, safety, and soundness in the financial system,” encouraging all industry players to strengthen compliance systems and reinforce financial crime prevention as the sector continues to expand. 

Hubtel’s recognition reflects its strong partnership with MobileMoney LTD and other industry partners to improve customer experience, increase access to digital services, and support financial inclusion across the country. It also highlights the company’s contribution to the millions of mobile money transactions processed each day in Ghana. 

READ ALSO: Hubtel Celebrates 20 Years of Connecting Businesses to Communities

As Hubtel celebrates this recognition, the company extends its appreciation to MobileMoney LTD, industry partners, regulators, merchants, and customers whose trust and collaboration made this achievement possible. Hubtel remains committed to driving Africa forward by building a platform that everyone can find, pay, and easily partake in the digital economy. 

Together, we look forward to advancing the next chapter of Ghana’s fintech growth that is built on trust, operational excellence, and partnership. 

Kokomlemle, Accra – November 27, 2025 – Hubtel, Ghana’s leading Payment Services Provider, has announced the rollout of its services in Sunyani (Bono Region), Techiman (Bono East Region), and Tarkwa (Western Region).  

This expansion reflects Hubtel’s commitment to connecting businesses to communities and for consumers to conveniently find and pay for everyday essentials. 

“We believe Ghana’s digital future belongs to every town and every business owner, not just the metro centres,” said Elsie Bram, Head of Consumer Demand & Growth at Hubtel. “With this expansion, we’re telling these communities that their businesses and customers matter, and they can now partake in a broader digital economy.” 

READ ALSO: How Rabito Clinic is Enhancing Payment Experience with Hubtel All-in-One POS 

Each of these cities hosts populations of over 100,000 residents and serves as key commercial hubs outside Ghana’s major cities, making them priority zones for digital payments and quick commerce.  

The expansion will support thousands of local business owners in these communities, giving them access to digital payments, delivery logistics, and payment solutions tools to grow revenue and serve customers better. Consumers can also shop from nearby vendors and pay easily through the Hubtel app, with swift deliveries within their communities. 

These city expansions bring Hubtel’s total operational footprint to 11 cities across the country, joining Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Koforidua, and Ho. 

“Our goal has always been to make everyday transactions simple, secure, and accessible for everyone,” Elsie added. “As we grow, so do the opportunities for local businesses and customers across Ghana.” 

About Hubtel 

Hubtel is a Ghanaian technology company licensed by the Bank of Ghana as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider. The company enables businesses of all sizes to accept payments (mobile money, cards, and QR), manage transactions, and connect with customers through messaging and commerce. 

Individuals can also use the Hubtel App to pay bills, order goods, send money, and more. 

Hubtel currently operates 12 offices nationwide and has over 700 employees across the country. Founded in 2005, its mission is to drive Africa forward by enabling everyone to find and pay for everyday essentials, building a platform that helps every person and business take part in the digital economy. 

Running a school has never been just about teaching. Administrators juggle student records, ensure student safety, and keep operations running smoothly, all while collecting fees that keep the lights on. For years, fee collection has been one of the biggest pain points for Ghanaian schools: high transfer charges, misplaced cash, and endless hours spent on reconciliation. 

That’s where Aura-Rich Consult and Technologies stepped in. For almost a decade, the IT and educational solutions provider has been helping schools digitize operations through its flagship SchoolRobot platform. But as adoption grew, one stubborn problem kept slowing everything down — payments. 

“We knew from the beginning that fees collection was where most schools struggled,” recalls Richard Torsu, Founder and CEO of Aura-Rich Consult and Technologies. “Cash handling, high charges, and reconciliation issues made it difficult for schools to run smoothly.” 

READ ALSO: Akwantuo Express Simplifies Student Travel Experience with Hubtel’s Direct Debit API  

When Payments Slow Down Innovation

As more schools adopted Aura-Rich’s solutions, the challenges with payments became clearer. High charges on transfers were eating into revenue. Reconciliation required manual effort, sometimes stretching for hours. And parents paying fees in cash risked errors, misplaced funds, or delays in confirmation. 

“Time we could have spent innovating was being used to reconciling transactions,” Richard explains. “And when parents lose confidence in how their money is handled, schools lose trust too.” 

For Aura-Rich Consult and Technologies, payments weren’t just a background process. They were central to the reputation of its schools and, by extension, its own credibility. Something had to change. 

The Transformation: Hubtel’s API as the Missing Link 

That better way came with Hubtel’s Receive & Send Money API. The team was already familiar with Hubtel as a trusted name in Ghana’s digital ecosystem, so the decision was easy. 

“When we came across the Receive & Send Money API, it felt like the right fit,” Richard says. “Integration was smooth, and instantly we could see payments more clearly. Everything was visible and automated.” 

With Hubtel, Aura-Rich Consult and Technologies could: 

• Collect school fees securely into a Hubtel merchant account, linked directly to each school. 

• Automate reconciliation, cutting manual checks by about 80%. 

• Lower costs significantly — parents now save an estimated 20–30% on transfer charges compared to their previous systems. 

The Results: Growth and More Control 

Since integrating Hubtel’s Receive & Send Money API, the difference has been visible and measurable. Today, more than 70% of all school fees on Aura-Rich’s platform flow securely through Hubtel, giving both parents and schools confidence that payments will go through without a hitch. 

Monthly revenues have grown steadily, no longer held back by leakages or long delays. Transfer costs have dropped by nearly a third, putting money back into the hands of schools that would have otherwise gone into charges. And reconciliation — once a headache that stretched for hours is now automated, cutting the workload by over 80% and freeing up the finance team to focus on more strategic work. 

“It’s not just about saving money,” Richard emphasises. “It’s about saving time, building trust, and giving schools confidence that every cedi is accounted for.” 

Scaling Trust Across Education

With payments simplified, Aura-Rich is doubling down on growth. The company plans to expand SchoolRobot and its ERP solutions to more schools across Ghana and beyond, with Hubtel as its payment’s backbone. 

“Hubtel has taken the headache out of payments,” Richard concludes. “That gives us room to keep innovating for the future of education.” 

READ ALSO: Simon Poole & Marjorie Saint-Lot Join Hubtel’s Management Advisory Council  

About Aura-Rich Consult and Technologies  

Founded in 2016, Aura-Rich Consult has become one of Ghana’s leading IT and educational solutions providers. Beyond building ERP platforms, mobile apps, and ICT infrastructure, its SchoolRobot solution is redefining how schools operate, from attendance management to payments. 

The mission has always been simple: make technology work seamlessly in education. But for that vision to hold, the payment layer had to be just as efficient as the software behind it.  

For years, Akwantuo Express has been the go-to transport service for students moving between campuses in Ghana. Known for affordable fares and reliable service, the company has built a loyal following. But as bookings grew, payments became harder to manage.

Cash handling, third-party glitches, and reconciliation delays were putting pressure on both the team and their customers. To keep its promise of convenience, Akwantuo needed a new way forward. 

READ ALSO: How Azar Transformed 100 Years of Service with Hubtel USSD 

That’s when the company turned to Hubtel’s Direct Debit API — and the impact has been transformative. 

Key Outcomes at a Glance 

• Significant revenue growth since adoption with steady monthly increases 

• 80% of transactions now processed through Hubtel’s API 

• 100% decreases in revenue leakages. 

• Instant payment confirmations build student trust 

• Simplified reconciliation saves time and reduces errors 

About Akwantuo Express 

Founded in 2016, Akwantuo Express started with a simple mission: to make student travel affordable, safe, and stress-free. What began as a campus-based service has grown into a trusted travel partner for thousands of students and travellers across Ghana. Today, Akwantuo is known not only for its reliable buses but also for its commitment to making every part of the journey enjoyable. 

Staying Ahead Meant Rethinking Payments 

As demand grew, Akwantuo realised that their biggest challenge wasn’t just collecting money, it was keeping track of it. With agents handling cash, money sometimes went missing. Add in the mix of different third-party providers, and reconciliation became a nightmare. 

“Sometimes the money collected didn’t add up to the tickets issued,” recalls Derrick Smith, Team Lead at Akwantuo Express. “Other times, it would take forever to match transactions across different systems. It slowed us down and made it hard to trust the numbers we were seeing.” 

The pressure was even worse during peak travel seasons when students rushed to campuses. Payments got messy, and the team spent more time chasing after transactions than focusing on their customers. 

It became clear that if Akwantuo wanted to stay on top, it needed a simpler, more reliable system — one that could secure every cedi and make reconciliation effortless. 

A Better Way with Hubtel 

In its search for a better system, Akwantuo discovered the Hubtel Direct Debit API. Already familiar with Hubtel’s reputation in Ghana’s e-commerce space, the team trusted it could deliver. 

The integration was straightforward, and the benefits were visible. 

“Now, when a student books, the payment reflects instantly,” Derrick shared. “The Hubtel merchant dashboard tracks everything automatically. There is no stress and no chasing reports.” 

The Impact 

Since adopting Hubtel’s Direct Debit API, Akwantuo has seen a major shift in how payments flow through the business. 

• Faster settlements: Payments reach the business quickly, giving better control over cash flow. 

• Reduced revenue leakages: Missed or delayed payments are minimised, ensuring every transaction is captured. 

• High transaction adoption: Over 80% of bookings are now paid through Hubtel. 

• Simplified reconciliation: The finance team no longer spends hours tracking mismatches. 

• Improved customer experience: Students receive instant confirmation, boosting trust and confidence in the brand. 

• Revenue growth: Consistent collections and fewer payment drop-offs support steady month-on-month business growth. 

“It’s changed the way we run our operations,” Derrick adds. “Cash flow is steadier, our team spends less time fixing issues, and students trust the process more. That trust is what keeps them coming back.” 

READ ALSO: Now, Pay Small Small for the Things You Love 

Growing With Hubtel 

With payments under control, Akwantuo is setting its sights on expansion. The company plans to extend its services to more campuses and regions, knowing Hubtel will scale with them. 

“Hubtel has given us control over our payments,” Derrick concludes. “It’s reliable, simple, and it allows us to focus on what really matters — making student travel stress-free.”

Kokomlemle, Accra – September 11, 2025 – Hubtel, Ghana’s leading payment service provider, today announces the appointment of Simon Poole and Marjorie Saint-Lot to its Management Advisory Council, strengthening its vision to expand across Africa and reinforce its position as one of the continent’s most trusted digital commerce and payment enabler. 

The addition of Simon Poole and Marjorie Saint-Lot to its advisory leadership brings extensive expertise in finance, governance, capital markets, digital transformation, and cross-border expansion. 

Simon Poole – Finance, Governance & Value Creation Expert 

Simon Poole is a distinguished finance and investment leader whose career spans more than three decades across Africa, Europe, and international markets. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PwC London, where he worked on landmark privatizations and management buyouts, he joined Bank of America as Vice President of Corporate Finance, building its advisory services for telecom clients and structuring complex debt and equity deals. 

His career took him into operational finance, where he pioneered shareholder value-based performance metrics, and then at Celtel International. At Celtel, Poole held CFO roles across multiple African markets before becoming Group Financial Controller in Amsterdam. He played a pivotal role in Celtel’s growth into one of Africa’s largest telecom operators, culminating in its landmark $3 billion acquisition by Zain. 

In 2011, Poole became an Operating Partner at Helios Investment Partners, Africa’s largest private equity firm with $3.5 billion under management. For over a decade, he served on boards and committees across diverse sectors, helping to rebuild management teams, embed Lean Six Sigma operational discipline, and elevate governance standards. His leadership contributed directly to the transformation and IPOs of several major companies: CAB Payments, which grew fifteenfold and listed on the London Stock Exchange as part of the FTSE 250; Helios Towers, one of Africa’s leading telecom infrastructure companies, which also listed in London in 2019; and Vivo Energy, carved out from Shell and floated in 2018. He also chaired the board of Solevo, a pan-African agricultural inputs distributor, strengthening its route-to-market and farmer engagement before its sale to DPI. 

Poole has also contributed to the rise of Africa’s fintech sector through board positions at Interswitch in Nigeria and Fawry in Egypt, both of which have become industry leaders in payments and digital services. Across his career, he has combined capital markets expertise with governance rigor to deliver sustainable value creation in frontier and emerging markets. At Hubtel, Simon brings unmatched experience in IPO leadership, financial discipline, and risk management to help the company achieve its vision of becoming Africa’s most useful company. 

Marjorie Saint-Lot – Digital Transformation & Market Expansion Strategist 

Marjorie Saint-Lot is a global executive with more than 20 years of experience leading digital transformation, financial inclusion, and market expansion initiatives across Africa, Europe, and North America. Fluent in both English and French, she has successfully bridged cultures and markets, delivering growth and innovation in some of the world’s most dynamic and challenging environments. 

She is currently Head of Francophone Africa at Taptap Send, where she manages operations across 14 countries with transaction volumes exceeding $300 million monthly. In this role, she has spearheaded four new market launches and deepened the company’s role in connecting African families and communities to vital remittance and payment services. 

Previously, she held several senior leadership roles at Uber, where she oversaw operations in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Tanzania, and Pakistan. In Ghana, she achieved profitability amid severe macroeconomic headwinds, proving the viability of new models in frontier markets. In Côte d’Ivoire, she led Uber’s operations to achieve 60-fold growth in just 12 months. Beyond growth metrics, Saint-Lot championed inclusion as Uber’s Women’s Empowerment Strategy Leader for Africa and the Middle East, creating pathways for women drivers and co-chairing Uber SSA’s women leadership programs. 

Before Uber, she spent nearly four years at Orange Côte d’Ivoire, where she directed high-value acquisitions worth more than €300 million and integrated subsidiaries in Liberia and Burkina Faso. Her leadership also drove innovative business models across mobile money, e-commerce, energy, and banking, positioning Orange as a leading player in West Africa’s digital economy. Earlier in her career, she held operational and strategic roles at Digicel Haiti, Veolia Transdev in France, PwC in Boston, and major financial institutions in Canada. She also mobilized €30 million in development funding for Côte d’Ivoire through her work with ADDR and the African Development Bank. 

Alongside her executive roles, Saint-Lot serves on the Board of Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, where she contributes to Audit and Governance Committees. She is also the Founder and CEO of Yarey Consultancy Group, advising organizations on growth strategy and governance. She holds a Master’s in Financial & Economic Engineering from Université de La Réunion in France and a Financial Planning Diploma from George Brown College in Toronto. 

At Hubtel, Marjorie brings her proven expertise in digital strategy, cross-border expansion, and stakeholder engagement to advance the company’s mission of enabling everyone to participate fully in Africa’s emerging digital economy. 

Building Africa’s Most Useful Company 

With Simon and Marjorie on its advisory council, Hubtel is equipped with the leadership and insight to expand beyond Ghana and help shape the future of Africa’s digital economy. 

About Hubtel 

Hubtel is a leading technology company licensed by the Bank of Ghana as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider. 

The company makes it easy for people to find and pay for everyday essentials from local businesses of all sizes. Hubtel’s payment processing, messaging, and feature-rich platform enable users to pay bills, make payments, order food, and purchase everyday essentials. 

The Financial Times of the UK named Hubtel as Ghana’s fastest-growing company for the 2022 financial year. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Forbes Magazine have also previously featured the company. 

Hubtel operates 23 offices across Ghana and has about 700 direct employees. Founded in 2005, Hubtel’s mission is to drive Africa forward by enabling everyone to find and pay for everyday essentials. The company aims to be Africa’s most useful company, building a platform on which everyone can find, pay, and easily partake in the emerging digital economy across the continent. 

For over 50 years, Rabito Clinic has been a leader in dermatology and skincare in Ghana, delivering world-class outpatient services across 19 branches. However, as the clinic grew, managing payments became increasingly complex. What started as an operational challenge soon became an opportunity for transformation, thanks to Hubtel. 

The Struggle with Payment Systems 

Before Hubtel, Rabito Clinic’s payment system was a mix of cash and credit payments. With 70% of transactions being cash-based, the clinic relied on third-party providers to handle card and MoMo payments, but these systems were far from ideal. Payment issues were a constant bother for both staff and patients. 

“Before Hubtel, we’d often face payment glitches. Clients would sometimes be debited twice, or they’d have to wait a long time because the system was glitching. It was frustrating for both our patients and the team,” said the accountant. 

Tracking transactions was equally challenging. “With the other providers, it wasn’t that flexible. Sometimes we had to place calls to get reports,” noted the finance team. 

READ ALSO: 20 & Evolving: The Hubtel Journey

Finding the Right Solution 

When Hubtel’s team first introduced the All-in-One POS to Rabito Clinic, leadership was immediately impressed by its functionalities. They recognised that the POS had exactly what was needed to run their daily operations well. 

The Rabito Cosmetic Centre (RCC), which had struggled most with payment issues, was chosen as the pilot site for the All-in-One POS. The feedback from RCC was outstanding. The cashiers mentioned that the Hubtel POS performed better than any system they had used before.

RCC, and now Rabito at large, benefits from a simple, user-friendly dashboard, real-time access to funds, and the ability to track and download transactions instantly. Moreover, Hubtel’s competitive 1% transaction fee was a welcome change from previous providers. 

Transforming Payments with Hubtel’s All-in-One POS 

Implementing the All-in-One POS was a straightforward process. Within a week, Rabito Clinic had fully integrated Hubtel into its RCC branch and the impact was transformative. The team highlighted a few advantages: 

• Real-Time Access to Funds: Unlike previous systems that delayed settlements, the Hubtel POS allowed Rabito Clinic to access funds instantly. “We can log in immediately to push our funds and even automate settlements at the close of business. This level of control was a game-changer for Rabito.” 

• Simplified Reconciliation: Hubtel’s user-friendly dashboard eliminated the need for external support. “We don’t have to call anyone for transaction reports anymore. With Hubtel, we set things up ourselves,” the accountant said. 

• Enhanced Customer Experience: “As of last month, 61% of POS transactions were processed through Hubtel’s All-in-One POS, a big shift from our previous reliance on cash. Customers now enjoy the convenience of paying with their card or mobile money, and we have not received any complaints.” 

The Results: Efficiency and Happy Staff 

The difference was night and day. The Front Desk Manager shared, “Before Hubtel, we would usually get payment issues or glitches when clients were paying. They’d either be debited twice or have to wait a while because the system had an issue.” Now, patients can easily pay and get instant confirmation. 

Staff members are also able to track every transaction. “Even if I forget to print out a receipt or note a particular transaction, I can easily go back to the transaction history to refer.” 

It is evident from the expressions of the staff that the introduction of the All-in-One POS has made their work easier. Payment visibility has improved, reconciliation is now simple, and the clinic’s staff can focus on delivering exceptional patient care. 

“We now have payment visibility, and we get real-time access to our funds and can move them whenever we want,” the finance team explained. “This allows us to focus more on what truly matters: our patients.” 

Expanding Success Across Branches 

The success of Hubtel’s All-in-One POS at the RCC branch was just the beginning. Impressed by the efficiency and reliability of the system, Rabito Clinic has since expanded All-in-One POS to five additional branches. Today, six branches are using the Hubtel All-in-One POS, with plans to roll out the solution even further. 

READ ALSO: How Azar Transformed 100 Years of Service with Hubtel USSD

“We have seen how Hubtel has transformed our payment processes. The feedback from our teams has been very positive and we are looking forward to collaborating more,” the finance team shared. 

A Partnership Built on Trust 

“Hubtel has been a reliable partner, and we are grateful for the efficiency they have brought to our operations. With this solution, Rabito Clinic can focus on what we do best: helping patients feel confident in their skin,” the finance team concluded. 

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.