BAI – Banco Angolano de Investimentos, one of Angola's largest financial services providers, has selected Finastra Essence to upgrade its core banking system — marking the next phase in the bank's digital transformation journey.
The cloud-first, open-API platform will replace legacy infrastructure, enabling BAI to accelerate product innovation, reduce time-to-market, and adapt rapidly to evolving customer and regulatory demands. Implementation will be led by Innovation Makers, a long-standing strategic partner, which will deliver advanced payment capabilities through its Multi-Payments Processing System (MPPS) and Card Management solutions, alongside a local Centre of Excellence for knowledge transfer and long-term operational support.
What Finastra Essence Brings to BAI:
Cloud-first, microservices architecture with open APIs
Faster product deployment leveraging AI and machine learning
Enhanced personalized digital banking services for customers
Tailored model bank approach for the Angolan market
Improved operational resilience and regulatory adaptability
Luís Martins, Executive Director at BAI, said: "We need a core banking platform that is highly flexible, scalable, and future proof. We selected Finastra due to its market-leading offering, strong consulting support, and proven track record. We have collaborated with the company for more than 15 years — this extension demonstrates BAI's commitment to driving innovation in the Angolan banking sector."
Siobhan Byron, EVP of Universal Banking at Finastra, added: "By transforming its core banking system, BAI can scale quickly and adapt to new demands with much greater efficiency. We're empowering BAI to reimagine banking in Angola by delivering timely, innovative, and customer-centric services."
In 2025, 15 institutions worldwide successfully went live with Finastra Essence — and BAI's adoption further cements the platform's growing footprint across emerging markets.