Wema Bank Adds SAW Voice-Banking Assistant to Upgraded ALAT App

Wema Bank launched an upgraded version of its ALAT app, tagged "ALAT: The Evolution", on January 12, 2026. It lets customers complete banking transactions through voice commands using an in-app virtual assistant known as "SAW". According to the bank, the feature enables end-to-end transaction processing without manual data entry. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Moruf Oseni said: "A simple voice command cuts down a process that would have taken a whole minute to a matter of seconds." Oseni said the development was guided by the need to improve efficiency, reliability and convenience in digital banking, and that the feature was designed to support users in completing transactions quickly without disrupting their daily activities. He described the thinking behind the original app: "When we launched ALAT in 2017, the goal for us was to provide a banking solution that would be ahead of its time, something that would optimise banking for Nigerians across the world and be accessible 24/7, outside the spheres of traditional banking." On how the assistant works, the virtual assistant offers gender-based customisation and incorporates voice recognition technology, which the bank says adapts to individual voice patterns. An additional passcode requirement is included as part of the verification process. Oseni said: "Every detail is strategic, ensuring that your virtual assistant is programmed to your voice and regular voice patterns." He noted that the upgraded ALAT platform integrates artificial intelligence with security features and is intended to optimise banking services for users within and outside Nigeria. In his words: "In today's AI-driven world, the new ALAT incorporates artificial intelligence with enhanced security, creating a holistic solution built with groundbreaking features that extend beyond banking." In addition to voice banking, the upgraded application includes a contactless payment feature known as "Tap & Pay", which allows secure transactions between ALAT users in close proximity. Another feature, Uptime Prediction, displays the service availability status of recipient banks before transactions are processed.