NOA tech-vision: Introduce efficient & secure solutions that create a human-value

Since the advent of the post-pandemic era, the role of technology in the microfinance industry has seen a significant surge. A surge manifested in the form of enhanced accessibility, affordability, efficiency, and security of microfinance products and services, thereby enriching customer experience and service quality. Although a daily work-in-progress, the integration of technology into microfinance holds immense potential to revolutionize the entire industry.

At NOA, we firmly believe in the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future. Since our inception as a microfinance company, we have consistently invested in leveraging new technologies to better serve our customers. Our corporate slogan for the last 5 years #ReinventingMicrofinance speaks by itself. Having said this, while acknowledging technology as a powerful asset, we remain vigilant of its associated risks, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity, which has become an indispensable criterion of the environment we operate together with our customers. Safeguarding customer interests and ensuring data privacy stand as paramount objectives, with our IT agenda top-prioritizing these concerns.

Our ongoing investments in technology solutions, including robust cybersecurity measures, have yielded tangible benefits, enabling us to enhance customer service, fortify data protection, and extend our reach to serve customers seamlessly, adhering to our ethos of maintaining a human touch in finance. At NOA, we recognize the synergy between technology and human interaction, amalgamating these two pillars to optimize technological advancements while fostering meaningful engagements with our customers.

In recent years, NOA has directed its efforts towards various initiatives aimed at enhancing customer solutions while bolstering the security of our IT infrastructure. Notable projects undertaken during the period of 2023-2024 include:

· Upgrading our core systems to align based on a customer/human centered approach.

· Introducing dedicated systems for our partners while consolidating internal automations and integrations.

· Implementation of advanced security solutions utilizing Artificial Intelligence to proactively analyze and mitigate cyber threats.

· Progressing towards establishing Digital Onboarding and electronic signature capabilities.

Furthermore, we are actively pursuing the automation of remaining manual operational processes, consolidating NOA’s market position as a technology pioneer in Albania. These tech-investments are implemented all while maintaining a steadfast commitment into preserving the essence of our human interactions, both within our organization and towards our customers, so NOA remains faithful to its founding principles. Indeed, our affinity for technology mirrors NOA’s appreciation for human connections. The introduction of tech-innovations into the microfinance sector should not aim the replacement of people’s interactions, but rather to foster them. It is therefore this dual commitment for a human-driven approach that drives our endeavors to innovate and serve our customers with excellence, ensuring a harmonious blend of technological advancement and personalized service.

 Tonin Lleshi

IT Department Director