By Joy Baba-Yesufu
First Bank is deepening its digital transformation agenda through a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), placing customer-first innovation at the core of its operations.
During its latest First Tech Connect Series, the bank hosted a fireside chat with Dr. Werner Vogels, Amazon’s Global Chief Technology Officer, to explore how cloud and AI technologies can enhance service delivery, resilience, and customer satisfaction.
Vogels emphasized the value of experimentation and failure as paths to innovation. “If failure becomes a badge of honour, as long as you learn from it, that’s the process we must embrace,” he said.
His remarks echoed First Bank’s legacy of adaptability. With over 130 years of history, the bank has consistently evolved, now accelerating its shift toward digital banking to meet rising consumer expectations and regulatory demands.
Rachael Adeshina, First Bank’s Chief Information Officer, highlighted the bank’s commitment to customer-focused transformation. “We’re constantly evolving, and at the heart of it all is customer satisfaction,” she said. The bank is exploring cloud hosting options with AWS while ensuring compliance with local regulations like the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
As Africa’s cloud market continues to grow, expected to reach $3.28 billion by 2030, First Bank aims to ride this wave while navigating Nigeria’s unique regulatory landscape. AWS, the global cloud leader, powers over 1.4 million customers worldwide and remains committed to scalable, secure, and bespoke cloud solutions.
On AI, Vogels noted that while many people may not fully understand it, they already use it daily. “Amazon’s recommendation engine is AI in action, we just didn’t call it that,” he said. He stressed that AI’s potential hinges on quality data, calling it “the oxygen of AI.”
Security and operational resilience were also key themes. Vogels urged organizations to treat security as non-negotiable and keep a “day-one” mindset: “If you’re stuck in your ways, you’ll fall behind.”
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