Depending on how much you earn from whatever it is you do (job, businesses, investments, etc.), saving could come easy or hard to you. But one thing is for certain: saving is just as important as, say, eating or breathing. Either short-term or long-term, there are a lot of needs, wants, and responsibilities one could (and should) save for. Bills, vacation, rent, school fees, investment, health, unforeseen events, etc. are some of the common goals people save towards.
However, as paramount as it is, saving isn’t exactly an easy thing to do out of will — unless you’ve mastered the art of financial discipline or there’s a force that propels you to save.
In Nigeria, PiggyVest ( formerly known as PiggyBank.ng) is that tech-infused force that has successfully helped over 250,000 users save a total of $20 million in less than three (3) years of operation. To enlighten users on how to join the hundreds of thousands of users saving an average of $55 (NGN 20,000) every month as well as investing in other financial instruments on the platform, we wrote this guide on how to get started with getting paid to save money you’re always tempted to spend, investing and more using other features of the PiggyVest.
Sign-up and Registration
Visit the PiggyVest website to download the app on your smartphone . Launch the app after installation and tap the “Create an Account” button to set up your PiggyVest account. If you already have an account, tap the “Login” button and enter your account credentials (phone number and password) to login to your account.
When you select “Create an Account” , you will be requested to supply personal details (full name) and contact details (email address and phone number) to register a new account. You will also need to create a password which will be used for subsequent log-in. You can also input a referral code if someone referred you to register. The account creation process is pretty much easy and takes less than 3-5 minutes.
BVN Verification
Now before you proceed to start saving and investing, you should verify your account by supplying your Bank Verification Number (BVN). BVN verification is an important step in using the PiggyVest platform as you would not be able to save money efficiently and transfer funds to and from your savings accounts within the app if you don’t verify your BVN.
To verify your BVN, tap the “ My Account ” settings button at the bottom of the page, navigate to “ My BVN Settings ” » Add Your BVN » Enter your 11-digit BVN number » Validate BVN .
To confirm your BVN, PiggyVest would place a phone call to the number associated with your BVN. During the call, the automated response will call out a 5-digit verification code. Take note of this code and input it into the provided box, enter your PiggyVest password in the next box and tap the “ Save BVN ” button to compete the BVN verification process.
If everything checks out, a congratulatory message informing you that you can now get the best out of your PiggyVest account will displayed.
Saving
After creating or logging into your PiggyVest account, the next thing is to start saving, yes? On the PiggyVest app dashboard, select the “Build your savings” card to begin saving. Doing this will prompt you to tap the “Let’s Proceed” button to set up a saving account — Quick Save or Autosave. Before you proceed though, you will be required to add a debit/ATM card to your account by inputting your card details.
What the PiggyVest Autosave does it to automatically put away and help you save a specified amount of money from your bank account on a periodic basis; could be daily, weekly or monthly. The Autosave feature rewards you with 10% of your saving per annum. Basically, PiggyVest is not only making it easier to save but is also promoting the art of saving by rewarding users who save on its platform.
Let’s talk about the different ways you can save with PiggyVest.
Saving with PiggyVest
One thing to love about PiggyVest is its flexibility; it allows you save anytime you want, anyhow you want to. PiggyVest comes with a couple of saving features.
1. Quick Save
The Quick Save feature of the PiggyVest app can be compared to the traditional way of saving via physical piggybanks. Quick save, as the name denotes, allows you set aside spare funds to your PiggyVest account at any time. With Quick Save, you can save multiple times in a day, a week or a month. To save money with PiggyVest’s Quick Save feature, open the Quick Save menu, enter the amount you want to save from your bank account, select source of funds (bank card), and select where you want the money saved (PiggyBank or PiggyVest account).
NOTE : PiggyBank account is the account where all your main monies are saved while PiggyFlex account is a sub-account where all monetary interest/rewards/points earned on PiggyVest are saved. To further differentiate between the two, you can withdraw from your PiggyFlex account for free at any time while withdrawal from your PiggyBank account can only be made on fixed withdrawal dates (more in this later). Withdrawal from your PiggyBank account outside the fixed withdrawal dates attracts a penalty.
As a new user though, you won’t be able to save to your PiggyFlex account immediately as the Flex Limit is set to NGN 0. You must save to the PiggyBank account first to expand your Flex limit.
2. AutoSave
AutoSave is one of the core features of the PiggyVest app. Just like the name implies, the feature automatically sets aside (and saves) money for users. The AutoSave feature is also flexible as you can select the period you want PiggyVest to deduct a specified amount from your bank (preferably on or a day after your salary gets paid). It could also be daily, weekly, monthly or ‘anytime/manual’.
You will also be prompted to specify the amount you want PiggyVest to deduct from your bank account at the set period as well as the exact time you want the set amount deducted. Another interesting thing about the AutoSave feature is the “ AutoSave Limit ”. This is the maximum amount beyond which your PiggyVest AutoSave savings cannot exceed. Once you have saved up this amount in your PiggyBank account, PiggyVest will no longer deduct funds from your bank account at the set dates — unless, of course, you modify/extend the AutoSave limit.
On the app, you can navigate to “ My Account ” » AutoSave Settings to modify the amount and frequency of your AutoSave plan. You can also turn off/deactivate the savings entirely by toggling off the On/Off button.
3. SafeLock
SafeLock is another core saving feature of the PiggyVest app with more stringent saving measures. SafeLock allows you put a fixed amount of money aside for a fixed period of time. And unlike AutoSave that allows you withdraw your savings on multiple dates, SafeLock keeps the fixed amount till the set time is up.
SafeLock is perfect for saving monies dedicated for non-discretionary expenses (i.e. expenses you must make e.g. rent, school fees, etc.). According to PiggyVest, SafeLock is one step further (and better) in curbing the temptation to touch/spend money that you HAVE to save. While it might be a hard thing to do, the fact that SafeLock rewards as high as 13% interest per annum on whatever amount you save should be enough motivation.
To use SafeLock on PiggyVest, tap the “ Create a SafeLock ” button on the Lock funds away card in the PiggyVest dashboard. Enter the amount you want to lock away, how long you want to stow the money away, as well as the payback date. You are also required to give your SafeLock a name (could be anything, perhaps the goal you’re saving towards e.g. Laptop SafeLock ). You can then proceed to preview your SafeLock details and select the “ Tap to SafeLock ” button. The longer you lock your cash in your SafeLock, the higher the interest. The best part is that the interest on the funds you SafeLock-ed is paid upfront in your PiggyFlex account.
You should, however, remember that once you SafeLock a specific amount of money, under no circumstance will the funds be made available to you before the payback date.
4. Target Saving
Do you have a group trip you want to attend by the end of the year? Or a conference? A new laptop? A new car? Or perhaps, you intend to visit some foreign countries on vacation with your family? You can create a target saving goal separate from your personal saving. Just like regular AutoSave, you are entitled to a 10% (per annum) interest on your savings which would be paid into your PiggyFlex account daily.
To create a target saving goal or join other users saving towards a similar goal, tap the “ Save towards a goal” card on the app dashboard, tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the display to get started with a personal or group target saving.
Unlike your core savings program, you can break or opt out of a target savings plan at anytime without any penalty. The funds will, however, be sent to your core PiggyBank savings account which you will then be able to withdraw only on set withdrawal days. If you have met at least 70% of your target savings, you can withdraw to your Flex account anytime for free.
Withdrawing funds
Whether you’re withdrawing monies you’ve saved for an unplanned emergency or to sort out a planned goal/expense, PiggyVest offers swift and flexible withdrawal options. Before withdrawing funds, however, there’s one important thing to do first: add your bank account details. To do this, My Account » My Bank Information » Go to Bank Settings » Enter account number & Bank name
1. Withdrawing from PiggyVest account
Remember that the PiggyVest account holds funds you save using the “Quick Save” option as well as interests, monetary rewards from core and special savings. That said, funds in the PiggyFlex account can be withdrawn at any time to your bank account for FREE . You can also send funds in your PiggyFlex account to your PiggyBank account as well as other users for FREE.
To withdraw cash from PiggyFlex, simply tap the “ PiggyFlex ” card on the app dashboard. Alternatively, you can navigate to My Account » Make Withdrawal » Withdraw from PiggyFlex. You are entitled to only one (1) withdrawal in 24 hours and funds are sent to your bank account within 3 hours.
2. Withdrawing from PiggyBank account
The PiggyBank account is regarded as the main savings account. If you recall, money can be saved to your PiggyBank account anytime (via Quick Save) or periodically (via Auto Save) but you can only withdraw money from the account for FREE four times per annum. These are known as “ Withdrawal Days ” and it is, by default, the last day of every quarter (i.e. every 3 months or 90 Days).
PiggyVest’s default withdrawal days are every 31st of March, every 30th of June, every 30th of September, and every 31st of December. You can change the withdrawal days to your preferred days/dates though. Go to My Account » My Withdrawal day settings » Update Withdrawal Day .
PS : If you decide to set your own convenient FREE withdrawal date, the next available FREE date will be exactly 3 months from the last time you withdrew. Advertisement - Continue reading below
On these days, you can withdraw funds from your PiggyBank core savings account for FREE. Withdrawing on days other than your set withdrawals dates attracts a penalty payment of 5% of whatever amount you’re withdrawing. Interestingly, you can choose to pay the 5% penalty fee from your PiggyVest wallet or from the amount being deducted.
Sodiq Olamide is a tech writer based in Nigeria, covering the latest reviews, how-tos, and news on consumer tech trends with a unique African perspective. Whether analyzing emerging technologies or offering practical guides, Sodiq brings a deep understanding of how technology shapes lives across the continent.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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