PalmPay pushes contactless payments in Nigeria

Nigerian digital bank PalmPay is intensifying efforts to promote contactless payments, showcasing its commitment at the BusinessDay Future of Payment Conference in Lagos

PalmPay, a leading Nigerian digital bank, is significantly scaling up its initiatives to drive the widespread adoption of contactless payment methods. This strategic move is a core component of the company’s broader vision to shape the future of digital finance within Nigeria.

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The fintech firm underscored its commitment to this evolution at the recent BusinessDay Future of Payment Conference held in Lagos, a prominent gathering of industry leaders focused on the advancements in payment systems.

Contactless payments, facilitated by technologies such as Near-Field Communication (NFC), QR codes, and mobile wallets, are increasingly emerging as a pivotal trend in Nigeria’s dynamic payment landscape.

During a panel discussion at the conference, PalmPay’s Senior Business Development Manager, Ifeanyi Uzoka, acknowledged that while regulatory support has played a crucial role in the growth of contactless payments, Nigeria’s deeply ingrained dependence on cash remains a significant obstacle to their widespread adoption.

Uzoka pointed out that although many Nigerians possess contactless-enabled cards, the availability of point-of-sale (POS) terminals that support “tap and go” payments is still limited, particularly outside major urban centers.

He emphasized that PalmPay is actively addressing this infrastructural gap by deploying secure and accessible technology solutions. A key step in this direction is the recent launch of PalmPay’s own contactless-enabled cards, a strategic partnership with Verve.

“While regulatory support has enabled the rise of contactless payments, Nigeria’s heavy reliance on cash remains a major barrier to widespread use,” Uzoka stated.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiated its cashless policy in 2012 with the aim of modernizing the national payment system, reducing the prevalence of cash transactions, and promoting greater financial inclusion across the country.

Subsequently, the CBN released draft guidelines for contactless payments, defining them as transactions completed without any physical contact between the payer and the payment device, utilizing NFC, RFID, or QR code technologies.

“While regulatory support has enabled the rise of contactless payments, Nigeria’s heavy reliance on cash remains a major barrier to widespread use,” said Ifeanyi Uzoka, Senior Business Development Manager at PalmPay.

Uzoka stressed PalmPay’s dedicated focus on bridging the existing gap in contactless payment infrastructure and adoption through the deployment of accessible technology coupled with enhanced security features.

As a tangible demonstration of its inclusive strategy, PalmPay recently introduced contactless-enabled debit and premium cards in collaboration with Verve, making these convenient payment options more readily available to its extensive user base.

“Designed with user security in mind, all contactless transactions on PalmPay’s platform are equipped with an extra layer of authentication,” Uzoka added, highlighting the company’s commitment to secure digital transactions.

With a rapidly growing user base exceeding 35 million Nigerians, PalmPay continues to be a frontrunner in pioneering innovations aimed at fostering a digitally empowered and financially inclusive society across the nation.

“Its push into contactless payments aligns with global trends and affirms the company’s leadership in driving the evolution of financial services in Africa,” Uzoka remarked, underscoring PalmPay’s strategic importance in the continent’s digital finance transformation.