Patrick Njoroge: Launch of the Banking Industry Sign Language
Self-Training Mobile Application
Remarks by Dr Patrick Njoroge, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, at the launch of the
Banking Industry Sign Language Self-Training Mobile Application, organized by the Kenya
Bankers Association (KBA), 2 December 2021.
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Good morning! I am pleased to be part of the launch of the Deaf eLimu Banking Application
(app). My gratitude goes to the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) for putting together this event
and for the invitation to participate. I also extend my appreciation to the Financial Sector
Deepening (FSD) Kenya and Deaf Elimu Plus Limited for their partnership with KBA on this
project. The choice of date for this launch is apt, being a day before the world commemorates
the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
I note with appreciation that my sentiments one year ago, during the launch of the Persons with
Disability Digital Access Report, were duly considered and executed. I challenged the
participants to provide tailor-made financial products that meet the needs of persons with
disabilities. I am informed that 31 commercial banks have submitted their roadmaps on how they
intend to implement the recommendations made in the report. It is therefore exciting to be here
today to launch an app that is going to revolutionize banking for the hearing impaired.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5 percent of the world's population (430
million people) are living with "disabling" hearing loss. This number is envisaged to grow to over
700 million people (one in every ten people) by 2050. Of this population, about 80 percent are
people living in developing countries. In Kenya, of the 900,000 (2.2 percent) persons with
disabilities, 150,000 people (16 percent) are living with hearing loss. This is a significant
population, who are likely to be sidelined due to the non-inclusivity of our systems. In Kenya, we
pride ourselves in achieving 82.9 percent financial inclusion. However, only 0.5 percent of
persons with disabilities are part of these statistics.
This brings me to the barriers locking out persons living with disabilities from the financial
system. It is interesting to note that these barriers are rudimentary. They include negative
attitude, misunderstandings by both financial institutions as well as their clients living with
disabilities, unfavorable infrastructure such as lack of ramps and having to endure long queues. It
is therefore within our reach to break these barriers and bring all persons with disabilities to the
formal financial system. Allow me now to focus on the reasons why it is paramount for the
banking sector to deal with these constraints and pave way for persons with disabilities to
access financial services.
First, it is our responsibility to ensure that we continually put people's needs at the core of
banking business. This is one of the commitments that financial institutions made through the
adoption of the Kenya Banking Sector Charter (KBSC) issued in 2019. Customer centricity,
which is the first pillar of the charter, not by accident, but by design, should be at the heart of
product development. Over the last few years, financial institutions are increasingly tailoring their
products and services to the needs of their customers. This was especially the case during this
period that we have been dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. However, much more needs to
be done particularly in segmenting the markets deeper to understand the needs of persons with
disabilities. I am glad, this is already happening with the development of the Deaf eLimu Banking
App.
Second, we are on the road towards ensuring shared prosperity for all by 2030, engrained in
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will only be achieved through building
sustainable and inclusive communities that foster inclusion and equitable opportunities for all. It is
now widely appreciated that businesses can only be as successful as the societies they operate
in and draw their existence from. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations
are now paramount in any organization's strategy and operations. In this regard, ensuring that
persons living with disabilities have the same opportunities to access financial services is an
obligation that we have to step up to.
the Kenyan Banking sector in an array of areas ranging
Third, is known for its leading role
from innovation to supporting broader societal good including in education, health and the
environment. This has spilled over to the East African region and beyond where Kenyan banks
are expanding their footprint. In the same breadth, the banking sector should also lead in
enhancing inclusion of persons with disabilities. Let me take this opportunity to implore upon the
other players in Kenya as well as in the region to follow this path. This will move us a step closer
towards achieving shared prosperity for all.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), is also walking the talk. We are involved in various initiatives
in support of persons with disabilities. More specifically, CBK supports St. Kizito Litein School for
the Deaf. I will pause here for a brief video link on this initiative.
The school came to the limelight when they won one of the CBK sponsored categories during
the 2016 Kenya Music Festival. As indicated in the clip, we have completed a number of
infrastructural developments at the school. This includes construction of a dormitory, renovation
works for their classes as well as provision of water storage tanks.
As I draw to a close, we are collectively, taking the right steps. However, this is just a starting
point. Today the app has 100 phrases. For most spoken languages, the target for a beginner is
250-500 words. With 1,000 - 3,000 words you can carry on a regular conversation. I don't know
how this translates to sign language phrases for banking, but my challenge to you is to work
steadfastly to improve the scope of the app and make it more useful for all. Let us also endeavor
to incorporate the needs of all categories of persons with disabilities in the banking sector.
Indeed, a society is at its best, when it leaves no one behind.
It is now my distinct pleasure to declare the Deaf eLimu Banking Application officially launched.
Thank you.