The Chief Executive Officer of Bankit Africa, Yen Choi, announced that the bank has integrated gamification to enhance financial literacy.
In a statement on Monday, the neobank revealed that customers can now earn money by playing games on their mobile devices.
Choi stated that incorporating game dynamics into banking enables Bankit Africa to go beyond traditional services like deposits, savings, and transfers. Instead, the neobank is building a financial playground that encourages users to cultivate better money habits.
Choi explained that Bankit Africa leverages gamification to enhance financial literacy by applying game dynamics similar to those in popular mobile games.
He said, “One of my favourite games, ‘Royal Match’, does this exceptionally well. It provides rewards at just the right moments, encouraging players to return daily and stay engaged. This psychological hook, known as game dynamics, isn’t limited to video games—it can be applied to almost any activity, including banking.
“We realised that by implementing similar mechanics in finance, we could encourage people to interact with their money in a more meaningful way and develop strong financial habits.”
Choi added, “Game dynamics are the engagement mechanisms that make games addictive. They are the ‘rules of engagement’—how a game pulls you in, keeps you playing, and makes it fun. In the context of Bankit Africa, we’re applying elements like leaderboards, high scores, time-based challenges, feature unlocks, and usage streaks to banking. Instead of viewing financial management as a dull necessity, users experience it as an interactive, rewarding journey.”
Choi emphasized how Bankit Africa’s features promote financial responsibility.
“One of our features, ‘Goal Unlock Savings,’ rewards users by unlocking exclusive savings tools only after they’ve consistently engaged with the app’s basic functions. For example, users who regularly deposit money, pay bills on time and complete financial literacy challenges can unlock an automated savings feature.
“This feature automatically allocates a percentage of every deposit or withdrawal toward a specific goal—such as rent, a new phone, or a car. Because users ‘earn’ access to this tool through their efforts, they feel more invested in using it, reinforcing positive financial behaviours.”
Choi highlighted the role of gamification in financial education, stressing that “financial literacy isn’t just about knowing the terms—it’s about building habits that lead to better financial decisions. Many people, especially younger generations, don’t engage in financial education because it feels dry and complicated.
“Gamification makes learning about money more interactive and fun. We include bite-sized financial literacy challenges, daily ‘money missions,’ and rewards for learning and applying financial concepts. This transforms banking from a chore into an engaging experience.”
