Unity Bank Taps AfriGo to Expand Electronic Payment Footprint

Unity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion and digital payment access through a strategic partnership with AfriGo, Nigeria’s national domestic card scheme. In a business engagement held at Unity Bank’s Lagos head office, both institutions discussed how to expand card usage and electronic payment services across Unity Bank’s retail segments.

The collaboration is part of a broader move to strengthen homegrown financial infrastructure and reduce dependency on foreign card networks such as Visa and Mastercard — a policy objective increasingly prioritized by Nigeria’s Central Bank.

AfriGo Gains Momentum in National Card Adoption

AfriGo, launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2023, has been gaining traction as a national card alternative. Its aim has been to lower transaction costs, enhance payment security, and expand digital access in underserved areas. According to AfriGo’s Managing Director, Ebehijie Momoh, Unity Bank is now one of the top five issuers of AfriGo cards in the country.

Momoh emphasized that technologies like Tap & Go, with contactless and offline payment capabilities, are making e-payments more convenient for users, particularly those in remote regions. “We believe Unity Bank’s widespread retail footprint can drive deeper adoption,” he said.

Strategic Implications for Unity Bank

For Unity Bank, aligning with AfriGo bolsters its image as a digitally progressive bank focused on inclusion and innovation. “We are committed to making the AfriGo card a primary delivery channel,” said Unity Bank’s Managing Director, Ebenezer Kolawole. He encouraged AfriGo to ramp up market awareness to accelerate user adoption.

Broader Push Toward Local Financial Infrastructure

The Unity Bank–AfriGo partnership reflects a wider shift within Nigeria’s financial sector: the push for domestic alternatives that lower costs and secure control over payment data. With card payments rising, and cashless policies expanding, banks that align with this national strategy may gain a competitive edge, especially among cost-sensitive and underbanked segments.

As the CBN and local players continue championing AfriGo, partnerships like this could help recalibrate the future of retail payments in Nigeria — one swipe at a time.