Brands/Products
Financial Inclusion and Branding – What is the Synergy?
By Fiona Hitchcock
Financial inclusion is one of the most amplified ideologies in many geographical areas. This has led to the implementation of noteworthy efforts to build institutions and systems for the inclusion of diverse socio-economic classes.
According to financial analysts, the past two decades have seen a rapid increase in the interest in financial inclusion, both from policymakers and researchers.
It is evident that structural, as well as policy-related factors, such as encouraging banking competition or channelling government payments through bank accounts, play an important role in achieving financial inclusion.
In Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had set a financial inclusion target of reaching 80 per cent of the total adult population by 2020, but presently, the country is not on track to meet this target which was set out in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) of 2012.
The NFIS had set two financial inclusion targets for the year 2020: an overall financial inclusion rate of 80 per cent of the adult population and a formal financial inclusion rate of 70 per cent of the adult population.
As of 2016, just 58.4 per cent of Nigeria’s 96.4 million adults were financially served and only 48.6 per cent of all adults used formal financial services.
How do we make financial inclusion exciting? How do we encourage consumer consumption? The answer is well thought out through executed branding for financial institutions.
Various financial institutions and societies have taken steps toward financial inclusion, but to be successful, they need to understand how to accurately target and market to their potential customers.
Conventionally, most financial institutions are known to be conservative in their marketing and branding approaches towards this market. As a result of this, customers approach these institutions with a perception of distrust and apprehension.
To address this disengagement between financial solutions and their consumers, financial institutions should ensure that great attention is paid to branding techniques. This is also very important in building a distinctive brand.
Most consumers become less apprehensive to consume a financial product or service when the repetitiveness and recognizability of the branding elements become part of the familiarity of their community environment.
From logos to taglines, tone of voice, advertising styles, these elements present a powerful conviction to customer acquisition. Without these, financial institutions will not connect in a relevant way with their target market and financial inclusion remains unprogressive.
Brands are expected to have a life outside management functions, have a personality and opinion that consumers can relate to. Financial institutions not excluded.
It is, therefore, critical that financial institutions communicate constantly to their target audience to enable a more progressive leap towards financial inclusion. The more people see you, the more they become comfortable, the more they are convinced to try you and (upon successful customer experience) the more they trust you.
Some brands run one successful campaign and then go quiet after that. Out of sight, out of mind. Whatever the case, there must always be something you are saying to your customers.
At Hitchcock Michalski, we believe that the more consumers can rely on an implicit reaction to a brand, the more likely they are to buy that brand – this is a key essence of our outstanding branding practices. Having worked for big financial brands like Access Bank who are making giant strides towards achieving CBN’s 2020 goal, we are even more convinced that distinctive branding plays an important role in aiding financial inclusion.
The year 2020 has taught us that to achieve financial inclusion, institutions in the finance and fintech sector must work towards winning the trust of consumers.
This can only be earned through the non-exhaustive implementation of marketing and branding strategies. For financial inclusion to work, institutions must win the conviction of the end-user.
Conviction is only earned through constant engagement. It is critical to understand the pain points of your customers, to truly understand their needs and what they find difficult when dealing with a financial institution.
We have to develop a well thought out strategy towards bridging the gap between financial solutions and the consumers, always with solving the customers’ needs and challenges in mind, failing which all efforts geared at inclusion for the unbanked and underbanked will remain ineffectual.
Fiona Hitchcock is the Managing Partner for leading brand strategy, design and communication agency, Hitchcock Michalski and has worked with multiple financial brands across Africa.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
MultiChoice Nigeria has commenced a one-month campaign tagged Open Time, offering new and existing subscribers free package upgrades.
A statement from the company disclosed that the promotion runs from June 1 to 30, 2026, and gives eligible DStv and GOtv customers access to higher subscription packages at no additional cost in the month of June.
However, these upgrades are on select DStv or GOtv packages. Subscribers will automatically be upgraded to a higher package at the price of their current subscription for the duration of the offer.
MultiChoice said the upgrade is intended to give subscribers a broader viewing experience for the month, spanning drama, sport, action and children’s programming available on the higher-tier packages.
Customers who pay for DStv Compact Plus or DStv Compact bouquets will be upgraded to DStv Premium, while DStv Confam customers will be upgraded to DStv Compact. DStv Yanga customers will receive access to DStv Confam.
Similarly, GOtv Supa and GOtv Max subscribers will receive access to the GOtv Supa Plus package, while GOtv Jolli subscribers will be upgraded to GOtv Max.
The upgrades will remain active for as long as the customer’s account is fully paid during the campaign period. At the end of the promotion on June 30, subscriptions will revert to their original packages.
Subscribers can renew or activate their accounts via the DStv and GOtv websites, the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps, USSD, banking channels or at payment points nationwide.
Twinkles Beauty has added fringe wigs to its catalogue, bringing one of the most directional styles in contemporary hair fashion to its growing international customer base. The launch positions the brand to meet demand for a look that has moved steadily from editorial runways into everyday wardrobes, earning a permanent place among the styles modern women return to consistently.
The fringe wig delivers something that most other wig styles do not: an instant change to the entire aura of the face. A well-constructed fringe alters the visual proportion of the forehead, draws attention to the eyes, and produces a finish that reads as intentional and precise. Unlike the bone straight wig, which leads with length and sleekness, or the body wave unit, which leads with movement and texture, the fringe wig leads with structure at the very front of the style. It is a design decision that changes everything about how a look is perceived, and it is why the fringe has maintained its relevance across decades of changing fashion without ever feeling dated.
Twinkles Beauty was founded with a clear commercial mandate: make premium human hair accessible to women who have historically been underserved by international pricing structures and inconsistent quality standards. The brand has built its operational foundation across Nigeria & Ghana before extending its delivery network to customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and multiple additional international markets.
Every product in the Twinkles Beauty catalogue, from its frontal wigs to its precision-cut bob units and glueless options designed for everyday wear, is held to the same sourcing and construction standard regardless of the length or style category it falls under.
The fringe wig collection enters that catalogue with the same expectation. Units are constructed from premium human hair, with lace options that blend against a range of skin tones and cap architecture built for secure, comfortable wear. The collection covers multiple length options, meaning a customer who prefers the clean, above-the-shoulder finish of a shorter fringe unit and one who wants the same style at a longer, more dramatic length are both accommodated within the same launch. The fringe detail is consistent across lengths, delivering the defining characteristic of the style at every size available.
The addition reflects a pattern that has defined how Twinkles Beauty has grown its catalogue over time. New collections are introduced in direct response to what the brand’s customer base is purchasing and requesting, not simply in response to broad market trends. This intentional design means the store covers the full range of what a woman shopping for premium human hair actually wants. The collection spans from the ultra-sleek finishes that bone straight and HD lace units provide, to the textured, high-volume options that deep wave and curly units deliver, and now to the sharp, face-framing precision that the fringe collection brings.
Shopping on Twinkles Beauty
The full fringe wig collection is available now at Twinkles Beauty. Placing an order is a straightforward process:
- Visit twinklesbeauty.co and click the Shop tab in the navigation menu.
- Browse the Wigs category and select Fringe Wigs from the available options.
- Choose your preferred unit and review the product specifications, including length, density, lace type, and colour.
- Add your selected unit to the cart and proceed to checkout.
- Complete payment using any of the secure payment methods displayed at the checkout stage. Pricing is finalised on the product page and does not change at checkout.
- Receive your order confirmation and use the Track Order feature on the website to monitor your delivery.
Customers with questions before or after purchase can reach the Twinkles Beauty support team directly through the Contact Us page. The brand also maintains an active presence on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for customers who want to see products styled before making a selection.
International customers in the US, Canada, and the UK move through the same checkout process and receive the same delivery standards as customers ordering from within West Africa. Transparent pricing, reliable logistics, and consistent product quality apply across every market Twinkles Beauty serves.
MultiChoice Nigeria, a CANAL+ company, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with its dealer network at the MultiChoice Dealer Enterprise 2.0 forum held on Monday in Lagos.
The forum brought together the company’s mega dealers across Nigeria to discuss evolving market realities, customer expectations and new initiatives designed to support long-term business growth.
In her opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Kemi Omotosho, described dealers as critical partners in the company’s growth journey and customer experience delivery.
“Our dealers remain the bridge between our business and millions of customers across the country. As the market evolves, it is important that our partnership model also evolves to ensure sustainable growth and shared value across the ecosystem,” she said.
The company unveiled enhancements to its dealer engagement across its DStv and GOtv businesses, reinforcing its commitment to supporting dealer profitability, operational growth and long-term sustainability.
Speaking on the initiatives, Chimaobi Eluigwe, Vice President, Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the move reflects MultiChoice Nigeria’s intention to build a stronger and more rewarding partnership while positioning the dealer network for future growth.
“We are intentional about creating opportunities that allow our dealers to grow sustainably with the business. This is about strengthening partnerships, improving value creation and ensuring our dealers remain well-positioned for the future,” he said.
Dealers at the forum welcomed the initiatives, describing them as a positive step toward strengthening collaboration and improving business confidence.
According to Cordelia Ikeanyi, Managing Director at Eastland General Resources, the renewed engagement and enhanced benefits structure demonstrate MultiChoice Nigeria’s commitment to recognising the value dealers bring to the business.
“This is a step in the right direction for dealers. The improved communication and engagement from MultiChoice have made partners feel more valued and included, and the new initiatives will support business expansion and help us explore untapped opportunities,” she said.
Also speaking at the forum, Ifeanyi Onyibo, CEO of Radac Communications Limited, noted that dealers have experienced more engagement and clearer communication in recent months, describing the renewed approach as a positive development for the dealer ecosystem.
“There has been a noticeable improvement in communication and engagement, and initiatives like this give partners greater confidence in the direction of the business,” he said.
The forum also featured a feedback session where dealers shared market insights, customer trends, and recommendations aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening customer experience across the country.
Awards were presented to top-performing dealers in recognition of their sales performance, customer service excellence and commitment to growing the MultiChoice business nationwide.
With the Dealer Enterprise 2.0, MultiChoice Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with dealers to strengthen partnerships, improve collaboration and drive shared growth across the country.
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