The CEO of Bankit Africa, Yen Choi, has announced that customers of the neo-bank can now earn money while playing games on their phones. Through gamification, Bankit Africa is reshaping financial management by turning it into an engaging, game-like experience.
According to Choi, integrating game dynamics into banking allows the company to go beyond traditional financial services like deposits, savings, and transfers. Instead, Bankit Africa is creating a financial playground that motivates 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 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 realized 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.”
When asked about game dynamics and their role in banking, Choi explained: “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 highlighted how Bankit Africa’s features encourage 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 behaviors.”
On why Bankit Africa introduces features gradually rather than offering them all at once, Choi explained: “Providing too many features upfront can be overwhelming—it creates decision paralysis. Instead, we roll out features progressively, rewarding users as they engage with the platform. This ensures that users don’t just have access to tools but actually use them effectively. When people work to unlock a feature, they’re more likely to appreciate and benefit from it.”
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 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.”
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, further reinforcing positive financial behaviors.”
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.”
With Bankit Africa pioneering this innovative approach, the company is not just offering banking services—it is reshaping financial habits through interactive and rewarding experiences.
