Monrovia -AccessBank Liberia (ABL) has launched three new digital services that are expected to improve banking access and convenience for thousands of Liberians.
By Jaheim T. [email protected]
The services include Liberia’s first biometric ATM, the ABL Smart Fees Payment system, and an Online Statement Access platform.
The launch event was held at the bank’s head office in Monrovia and brought together stakeholders from the banking and telecommunications sectors, development partners, and officials from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL). The CBL has long supported efforts to promote digital banking and financial inclusion across the country.
The new biometric ATM Is the first in Liberia that allows users to withdraw and deposit money using just their fingerprints—no card required. The machines are already available in key locations including Sinkor, Ganta, and Gardnerville. AccessBank plans to install them in all its branches across the country.
AccessBank CEO Vezele K. Gbogie said the launch is part of the bank’s mission to bring banking services closer to people, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.
“This event marks another important step toward making banking easier, accessible, and affordable for all Liberians,” Gbogie said. “Since 2009, we’ve committed ourselves to innovation, and this is another leap forward.”
In addition to the biometric ATM, the bank also introduced the ABL Smart Fees Payment platform. This system is designed to make school fee payments easier for parents, students, and guardians by allowing them to pay digitally from anywhere, without standing in long lines during the registration period.
Another feature launched is Online Statement Access. This gives both individual and business customers instant access to their transaction history, which is especially useful for recordkeeping, audits, and meeting financial compliance requirements.
Delivering his keynote address, AccessBank Deputy CEO and Chief Information Officer, Eric Malm, explained the bank’s digital journey over the past five years.
He explained that the idea to invest in new digital tools came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the bank saw the urgent need to reach more customers.
“We realized that a huge number of people—especially those without smartphones—were still excluded. So, we asked ourselves, how can we serve everyone?” he said. “That’s how the biometric ATM came about.”
Malm revealed that since 2020, over 100,000 transactions are processed every month through AccessBank’s digital channels, and more than 51,000 customers have joined the bank’s mobile platforms.
He said the Smart Key for school fees, the biometric ATM, and the online statement feature are all part of a broader plan to meet the needs of people who were previously left out of digital banking.
To support these innovations, the bank invested more than half a million U.S. dollars in strengthening its IT infrastructure and cybersecurity systems. Malm highlighted that customer protection is a top priority as digital banking expands.
“A digital journey is not complete without securing the system. We’ve heavily invested in cybersecurity to protect our clients and ensure trust in our platforms,” he noted.
AccessBank has also connected its services to mobile money platforms such as MTN and Orange. This means customers can make real-time payments and transfers through their phones.
The bank is also integrated with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which allows users to send and receive money across African countries without going through external systems like those in France.
Representing the Central Bank of Liberia, Miatta O. Kuteh, Director of Payment Systems, called the launch a major step in modernizing the financial sector.
“The Central Bank is proud of AccessBank’s efforts in aligning with our national strategy to promote financial inclusion and digital transformation,” she said. “We aim to ensure that by 2029, at least 80% of Liberia’s adult population has access to financial services.”
She added that digital banking helps reduce the cost of printing physical currency, improves access to credit and insurance, and supports better financial management for both individuals and businesses.
Speaking earlier, James Howard, Chief Operating Officer of AccessBank Liberia, encouraged Liberians to adopt the new digital banking tools.
“We are not just launching products; we are delivering a new way of banking,” he said. “This is about improving access, efficiency, and ensuring that everyone—regardless of where they live—can take full advantage of financial services.”
