Moreover, integrating game dynamics into banking allows the company to go beyond traditional services like deposits, savings, and transfers, he says. Instead, Bankit Africa is creating a financial playground that encourages users to develop better money habits.
The CEO of Bankit Africa, Yen Choi, has announced that customers of the neo-bank can now earn money while playing games. Through gamification, Bankit Africa is reshaping financial management by making it an engaging experience.
Choi, who revealed the unique strategy, says the bank uses gamification to make financial management engaging. According to Choi, this approach helps users build better money habits.
He stated that traditional banking often feels tedious. However, gamification reshapes financial literacy by adding fun, interactive elements. The bank’s app includes challenges, rewards, and progress tracking. Users learn while earning real-world benefits.
Moreover, integrating game dynamics into banking allows the company to go beyond traditional services like deposits, savings, and transfers, he says. Instead, Bankit Africa is creating a financial playground that encourages users to develop better money habits.
Explaining how the company leverages gamification to improve financial literacy, Choi shared: “One of my favorite games, Royal Match, does this exceptionally well. It provides rewards at the right moments, encouraging players to return daily. This psychological hook, known as game dynamics, isn’t limited to video games—it can apply to banking.”
“We realized that by implementing similar mechanics in finance, we could encourage people to interact with their money in a meaningful way and develop strong financial habits,” Choi added.
When asked about game dynamics and their role in banking, Choi explained: “Game dynamics are the engagement mechanisms that make games addictive. They define how a game pulls you in, keeps you playing, and makes it fun. In Bankit Africa, we apply elements like leaderboards, time-based challenges, feature unlocks, and streaks to banking.”
Choi highlighted how Bankit Africa’s features encourage financial responsibility: “One of our features, ‘Goal Unlock Savings,’ rewards users by unlocking exclusive savings tools after they engage with the app. Users who deposit money, pay bills on time, and complete financial literacy challenges can access automated savings features.”
“This feature automatically allocates a percentage of every deposit or withdrawal toward a 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 behaviors,” Choi stated.
On why Bankit Africa introduces features gradually rather than all at once, Choi explained: “Providing too many features upfront can be overwhelming. Instead, we roll out features progressively, rewarding users as they engage with the platform. This ensures users don’t just have access but actually use tools effectively.”
Discussing the role of gamification in financial education, Choi emphasized: “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 with financial education because it feels dry and complicated.”
“Gamification makes learning about money 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,” Choi noted.
When asked whether Bankit Africa’s gamification features translate into real-world benefits, Choi confirmed: “Absolutely. We’re integrating real-world incentives into the experience. Users who develop good savings habits may receive better interest rates, fee discounts, or access to exclusive financial planning tools. Our long-term vision is to create a loyalty ecosystem where users can redeem points for financial products or partner discounts.”
Choi acknowledged the challenges of introducing gamification into finance: “One challenge is ensuring that gamification remains ethical. Unlike traditional gaming, where the goal might be to encourage spending, our focus is on promoting financial health. That means designing mechanics that reward saving and responsible spending rather than excessive transactions.”
“Another challenge is balancing simplicity with engagement. Too much gamification can feel gimmicky, while too little won’t drive behavior change. We are carefully testing and refining our approach to ensure it enhances financial well-being,” Choi said.
With Bankit Africa pioneering this approach, the company is not just offering banking services—it is reshaping financial habits through interactive and rewarding experiences.
