Author: Hubtel

A Better Card Reader For Payment Convenience

Provide your customers the payment experience they expect with the new Hubtel POS contactless card reader. 

This presents significant advantages to both your business and customers.

• Faster processing
  Transactions are three times faster than your current card reader, ensuring speed and ease of transactions.
  
  
• Lower and flexible pricing
  Flat processing fees from 50 pesewas to as low as 1 pesewa for transactions below GHS 100.
  Transactions above GHS 100 are charged from 1% to as low as 0.55% of the transaction amount.
  
  
• Process contactless cards
  Customers with contactless cards can simply tap the card reader to pay for their items.
  

Each year’s holiday shopping season is always a wake-up call for many merchants. To prepare for the rush, new tools are purchased, new staff members are hired and new processes are put into place. It has always been an awesome time for growth and an even better time to establish your brand.

But 2020 has been different. This year has been unlike any other, and perhaps one of the most oxymoronic periods with buying habits shifting and online sales rising. eCommerce has become more important now than ever before. As the holiday season fast approaches, many are wondering what it will look like….

So, how can you properly prepare for the holiday shopping season with eCommerce right at the center? Our eCommerce Holiday Checklist is a great place to start.

To capitalize on the holiday rush this year, while preparing your business for a more optimized customer experience next year, Hubtel has provided the dynamic tools you need to meet your customers wherever they are with whatever they need, however they want.

Breach Online and Offline
This year is all about organized and safe shopping. Engage your customers from multiple fronts as more customers are turning to online shopping to avoid all the challenges with shopping in-store. Customers are more and more involved with their mobile devices. Take your business to your customers. Delight and entertain them with seamless shopping experiences and be sure to reach them right on their smartphones with Hubtel.

Payment Convenience is a MUST…

Offer your customers payment flexibility and convenience. Remember, customers are usually pressed for time during the holiday season and need to complete their purchases ASAP. Secure your customers with multiple payment options from any mobile money network or bank card on Hubtel.

Speed can break or make sales
Fast same-day delivery is key to winning the holiday spend. Last-minute shoppers, impatient buyers, and busy people all want their products delivered quickly. By offering fast same-day delivery for your customers, you appeal to a wider range of shoppers rather than just the organized early birds! It prevents shoppers from missing out by ensuring items arrive on time to start their wrapping…

Be appealing
Personalize your customers’ experiences with recommendations and purchase guides on Hubtel. Customers are loyal to brands that make shopping easy, especially during the holidays. Gain insights into customers’ preferences, inspire and encourage them to make a purchase with holiday offers and season’s favorites.

Include your customers in your holiday celebrations this year.

Be uplifting and help customers get through a rather tough year by providing added convenience and peace of mind.

2020 has proven to all of us that the future is now, and there is no waiting!

Earn Attractive Commissions Selling Services on Hubtel

Your storefront can earn extra income from selling airtime, internet data, utilities, pay TV, lottery, betting, insurance and many other services
directly from your Hubtel POS.

These everyday services add value to your storefront and provides a competitive advantage for your business to add another layer of delight
to your products and services to customers.

For each service you sell, you receive an instant commission directly from the provider of the service.

Experience the difference…

– There are no fees to activate all commission services – it’s FREE

– Earn attractive commissions

– On demand, fast-moving services

– Few taps to sell each service directly from your Hubtel POS

Processing your commissions….

Commission rates vary based on the commission percentage of the service and are either calculated as inclusive or exclusive of the cost of the service to the
customer. Commissions are settled instantly on each sale.

The more services you sell, the more commission you can earn.

October 2020 Product Update

A new lifestyle hybrid! Where customers feel a sense of community & loyalty

See what’s new in this update

“Your Business Account: Fresh New Look, Simpler Navigation“

Your back-office is now more secure

Redesigned to be quicker and simpler to carry out daily tasks, with a new login page and a second layer of login security.

A few things to note:

– You can either login using Google or Microsoft account details.

– Only details of your business and associated business are available on the new portal.

– Hubtel.com login alternative will no longer be available.

Easy payroll for modern employers

Pay your salaried employees or suppliers in just a few clicks. Payments can be sent to any Hubtel wallet, mobile money wallet or bank accounts.

How?

– Update your employees or suppliers’ details with a valid remittance account detail(s) via “Manage”.

– Go to “Money” and then “Pay” to choose to pay Employees or Suppliers.

– Follow the steps to process payments.

– If you are the Business Owner, go to “Approvals” to follow steps to approve and complete the payments.

“It’s no longer enough to have a website just for customers to see what you sell; offer an online storefront to delight your customers with quick payment and faster delivery”

New customized portal

You can find and buy anything from stores nearby, with an enhanced search engine.

Explore – more items to love!

A more personalized experience page to see and buy items that are more relevant to you.

Flow with the Trend…

A new trending page to find what’s new with your favorite stores and providers. See updates on items that are back in stock, new items and special offers from stores and providers near you.

A refreshed view of Services

Access everyday services from your favorite providers (from airtime, internet bundle, to utility and entertainment) and pay with fewer clicks.

Shoppers’ delights!

Buy more items from multiple stores with multiple fulfillment options in a single payment transaction…

All wallets available

Add items to cart and pay with your preferred wallets in fewer clicks.

A better view of your Account

Manage your wallets, delivery addresses, repeat payments and inbox from a single easy to access attachment.

“SMS Messaging on Hubtel is now faster, quicker and more convenient for both business and customer accounts“

No SMS credits or bundles

Pay for your messages directly from your Hubtel wallet at lower than market rates. All you need to do is to top up your Hubtel wallet and send messages. No need to bundle or buy SMS credits anymore.

No Contacts/Groups

No need to create groups or store contacts again. Just send your messages and your report and associated contacts will be available to resend within 45 days.

Preview your message

Get a preview of your message and confirm content format before sending to your customers, friends and loved ones.

Easy API integration and management

Setup your API without any wait for approval. Your key will be available as soon as you create them. Top up your API account, link to your Sender IDs and you are good to go!

FAQs – SMS API Management

Question 1. I have enough money in my Hubtel wallet but my Programmable SMS or API is not working, messages are not delivering.

a) First ensure your SMS API account has been funded.

How to fund your SMS API account:
i. Login to your Hubtel account and go to Messaging.   
ii. Go to Manage and click on Programmable SMS to access the API Keys.  
iii. Select Details on an API Key and click Add Funds. 
iv. Add the amount to top up and your SMS API account will be funded successfully. 

b) Check and ensure your existing API Key has the correct corresponding ClientID and Client Secret. 

Steps to Verify / Confirm an Existing API Key  
i. Login to your Hubtel account and go to Messaging.   
ii. Go to Manage and click on Programmable SMS to access the API Keys.  
iii. Select the API Key and click on Client ID for the Client ID and Client Secret. 

Question 2. I have changed the API endpoint to the new one and have funded the account but my messages are still not going out.

You need to fund your SMS API account after topping up your Hubtel wallet.

How to fund your SMS API account: 
i. Login to your Hubtel account and go to Messaging.   
ii. Go to Manage and click on Programmable SMS to access the API Keys.  
iii. Select Details on an API Key and click Add Funds 
iv. Add the amount to top and your SMS API account will be funded successfully. 

Question 3. Where do I find my API Keys?

How to access/view your SMS API account: 
i. Login to your Hubtel account and go to Messaging.   
ii. Go to Manage and click on Programmable SMS to access the API Keys.  
iii. Select Details on any API Key to view account details.

Question 4. How do I top up our SMS API account?

How to fund your SMS API account: 
i. Login to your Hubtel account and go to Messaging.   
ii. Go to Manage and click on Programmable SMS to access the API Keys.  
iii. Select Details on an API Key and click Add Funds 
iv. Add the amount to top and your SMS API account will be funded successfully.

Question 5. Where do I find my reports?

How to view / download your messaging reports: 
i. Login to your Hubtel account and go to Messaging.   
ii. Go to Manage and click on Downloadable Reports to view or download all report requests.

Question 6. How do I generate new API Keys?

How to generate an API key 
i. Login to your Hubtel account and go to Messaging.  
ii. Go to Manage and click on Programmable SMS.  
iii. Click on Create API Key to generate new API Keys and top up your account.

Question 7. Do I have to make any other necessary changes…change any parameters? 

No, only the base URL changes from  
https://api.hubtel.com/v1/messages/send? or https://api.smsgh.com/v3/messages/send 
to https://smsc.hubtel.com/v1/messages/send 
All other details remain the same. 

Question 8. Where exactly do I make the changes, as in the endpoint, from? 

Simply change your base URL from https://api.hubtel.com/v1/messages/send? or https://api.smsgh.com/v3/messages/send 
to https://smsc.hubtel.com/v1/messages/send 
All other details remain the same.

Ever since we at Hubtel heard Baffour Awuah Tabury’s touching story on Citi FM, we have made it one of our 2017 goals to “Make Baffour Walk Again.” 

Before everything changed on the road to realizing his dreams and making his mother proud, Baffour was a final-year student at the University of Cape Coast and getting ready to graduate. He was involved in a motor accident that left him paralyzed from his waist down in 2007. Due to this unfortunate turn of events, Baffour had difficulty controlling his urine and bowels. Like any loving and caring mother will do, Baffour’s mum resolved to do everything in her power to see her son walk again. This included burning over GHS 200,000 of her personal savings and investments on various procedures and two surgeries in Ghana. Last year, Baffour successfully had another surgery in China which restored his urinary and bowel control. 

For Baffour to walk again, the next step will be to undergo physiotherapy at NextStep Orlando (no pun intended). This physiotherapy center in Orlando, Florida treats patients who have injured their spinal cords so they can fully recover their functions. Amazing right? Yes, but this procedure will cost a cool GHS 87,000 ($19,200). And this is where Hubtel comes in. 

We have developed a Point of Sale platform called the Hubtel POS. This platform is tailored to allow businesses to accept payments and charity organizations to receive funds from all mobile money wallets and bank cards in their stores, online, or on the go into one account. With our POS, we eliminate the burden of having to hold four different phone numbers to receive payments. Making it easier for everyone who is touched to help resolve situations like Baffour’s, to make a donation to help Baffour walk again. 

So now how do I donate to this cause? It’s simple – just dial *713*7140# on your phone – it doesn’t matter which network you’re on, follow the instructions, and make a donation. Think of it this way: if 8,700 individuals make a donation of GHS10, Baffour’s dream of walking again will be realized. 

Hubtel has not only provided this shortcode to ease Baffour’s access to donations for his surgery, but we are also waiving all network charges associated with mobile money transfers made to this donation.  

So go ahead. Dial *713*7140# let’s make Baffour walk again! 

May 2020 Product Update

The New Face of Inventory, Instant Settlement & More…

See what’s new in this update:

Introduction of Warehousing

Just as you store the supplies you receive in a warehouse before you start selling, now you can stock your virtual warehouse before you start selling.

Adding items to multiple branches

Your virtual warehouse also makes distribution of items to multiple branches quicker and easier.

Adding items with variations

Details of multiple items that come in different sizes, colors or weight can now be added once; add the details of the items first, then add the details of all the variation types available.

How does this work? 

A Café that sells Voltic in three variations; small, medium and large bottles will be required to indicate the details below when adding this item: 

Add basic details

• Name 
• Category 
• Description 
• Expiry Date 

Then add variation details 

• Size 
• Selling Price 
• Cost Price  
• Quantity 

The number of variation details entered will be based on the number of varieties this item has. 

This also makes it easier for customers to view different colors or sizes of items on the same page, for them to pick and choose as they may desire.

Instant Bank Settlement

Access funds transferred to your bank account instantly. Funds from your bank transfer requests are now available on the same day!

ECG Postpaid Bill Payment Service

You and your customers can enjoy the convenience of confirming bill details before payment is done.
Resell this service from your Hubtel POS app or by using the
Commission services API.

Accra – Ghana’s indigenous eCommerce & SMS messaging company, Hubtel.com, has donated furniture and equipment valued at Eighty Thousand Cedis (GHS 80,000) to support the refurbishment of a new call center. The call center is an initiative of the Ministry of Communication in the fight against Covid-19.

Hubtel.com made the donation in response to requests made by the Minister of Communications, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, at a recent press briefing urging the private sector to augment the government’s efforts at making accurate, reliable information about this novel virus accessible to the public. By ensuring the flow of useful information, the ministry hopes to improve early detection, reporting, and surveillance, and provide an avenue for prompt interventions. The donation which was received at the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) on behalf of the Minister by its Director General, Richard Okyere-Fosu, and his Deputy Director General, Kwaku Kyei Ofori, included office furniture, laptops, call center headsets, Covid-19 sanitation materials and several meters of network cables.

The donation forms part of Hubtel’s commitment to invest in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic by ensuring that staff, customers, suppliers, and the community at large are supported in diverse ways to stay safe. In her note of acknowledgment, the Minister of Communication stated that “It’s a remarkable gesture. I have the utmost pleasure of saying ‘Thank you’, to Hubtel on behalf of the government and people of Ghana”. The Minister further commented that the donation will go a long way to help set up the unit.

Speaking at the presentation, the General Manager of Hubtel, Ernest Apenteng emphasized that “Our donation to this call center is motivated by people’s desire for accurate, credible and timely information about Covid-19, especially in this era where so much fake news and information abounds.” “Hubtel’s contribution in this war is to give support to those areas that we are not doing so well for lack of poor information delivery, for example, some recovered patients are reportedly been stigmatized on return to their communities. And there are many to whom access to essential information is not so simple. Therefore, we have committed to prioritize delivering information on these essential needs.”

Present at the donation were some management and staff members of Hubtel who urged the general public to continue to heed the health advice by maintaining physical distancing, wearing face masks,s and washing hands regularly. They also urged the public to use technology services as much as possible to avoid personal contact.

Ghana has confirmed over 5000 cases of the novel coronavirus and 22 deaths. In the wake of the pandemic, the government has put in place measures to help with containment, treatment, and accurate information dissemination.

The Covid-19 call center is set up to respond to inquiries from the public about the virus. The center can be reached via 0307007001

Thank you for making us a part of your business and lifestyle.

Kokomlemle, Accra. May 12, 2020 — This month, indigenous e-commerce and SMS messaging company, Hubtel is celebrating 15 years of helping businesses connect meaningfully with customers. From its humble 2005 beginnings, Hubtel has grown into a vibrant and nimble company with over 80 employees.

In the buildup to this anniversary, Hubtel has positioned itself to dominate e-commerce just as it’s done with its transformational work in fintech and bulk messaging. In 2019, the company overhauled its entire eCommerce infrastructure and released an impressive set of features for retailers and their customers; seamlessly merging the shopping experience in-store, online, and on mobile.

A growing number of neighborhood shops, popular restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, and service providers are making their products and services available to customers on hubtel.com; as consumers change lifestyles and routines to Internet-first.

As businesses and individuals buckle under a pandemic and scramble for technology to work, shop, sell, connect with family and friends, entertain, or find community, technology’s power to improve our lives has never been more evident. Hubtel is best placed to help businesses of all sizes, transition from brick-and-mortar to clicks and orders with fast same-day delivery.

“Looking forward to the future,” CEO, Alex Bram clarifies “Our continuing success as an organization is dependent on our ability to continue to retain the confidence and trust businesses have in us. We will keep improving obsessively, not just our platforms and infrastructure, but our people, our values, and our culture!”

“We want to be Africa’s most-loved shopitality platform; helping retailers sell and deliver to nearby communities, whiles blurring the lines between in-store and online shopping for consumers.”

For more information, visit blog.hubtel.com/updates

Africa Fintech firms and banks have called for a consolidated effort to provide as much information and access to digital information as a way of evolving the payment ecosystem under coronavirus (Covid-19).

The call was made during a webinar session COVID-19 Pandemic discussed by African Tech Leaders’ Outlook: under the topic: “The Fintech Outlook: How will the Payments landscape evolve?”

The 2 hour session moderated by Adedoyin Odunfa, CEO Digital Jewels, was attended by Dr. Diane Karusisi, CEO Bank of Kigali; among other Managing Directors like Michell Elegbe, Interswitch Group; Alex Bram, Hubtel, ; Agnes Gathaiya, CEO IPSL Kenya.

During the discussions, panelists said that the coronavirus pandemic lock down caught the financial and fintech sector unprepared but has left them with lessons to enable the sectors improve especially in payments and clients digital experiences.

Karusisi said that with the current Covid-19 lockdown Africans need to build an eco-system that brings aboard clients digital engagement to shift trends of clients having to walk to agents and bank branches to make payments or withdraw money.

Using her experience in Rwanda, Karusisi said during the Covid-19 lockdown, it has been difficult to process all the information and needs of clients who applied for digital services almost at the same time.

“There is a lot to be done and there is change in client’s digital behavior at this time, of which we have been overwhelmed by the demand for services when the partial covid-19 lockdown was announced,” Karusisi said.
Karusisi called on fintechs and banks to look for better solutions moving forward without waiting for clients to ask for them.

As part of the solution to this Karusisi said that Bank of Kigali has embarked on building interactive interfaces (between financial institutions) which are user friendly, to mitigate the challenge of being understaffed to meet each of the client’s needs.

So far in Rwanda, banks like BK have managed to integrate personal bank data with the mobile money subscription services offered by telecommunication companies, and the Rwanda Central Bank has scrapped all service fees on points of sale and on mobile money sending.

Karusisi also suggested that fintech should use the data collected on clients’ needs to create a tailor made digital payment plan for each of the clients since not all clients were equally affected by the lockdown.

Other panelists also agreed with her suggestion but insisted on building trust of clients on their financial data and how it is used with accountability and transparency.

For example Alex Bram, CEO Hubtel in Ghana said the country has faced a challenge of access to client financial information, but with their central bank trusting and opening up data to fintech companies they have managed to ease movement of clients from bank to bank.

“We thus have to be more open on transactions to increase trust of clients. Openness empowers clients to trust us. They will not need to go to the banks or branches and this will make us invest more in digital tech to see more change,” Bram said.

For Agnes Gathaiya, CEO IPSL Kenya, she said that client digital experience has to be the main focus of changing the rudiment financial payment systems (of going to the banks) before coronavirus into effective trusted digital payments.

“Once a person has tasted a user friendly and trusted digital payment system, they get caught up in it, and can never go back; unless it is not trusted. So fundamentally we should have clients use these systems and stay there,” Gathaiya.

Africa’s fintech ecosystem raised $320m and grew a 60% in the last two years accounting for approximately $395.7 million accounts out of a global total of $866 million- equivalent to 46% of global mobile money.

Interestingly, despite having the highest level of mobile phone and internet penetration, only 10% of all payments and transactions in the continent are based on technology.

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