Unity Bank Plc partners with domestic card scheme AfriGo to boost electronic payment adoption and financial inclusion in Nigeria, promoting local solutions and digital innovation

[dropcap]U[/dropcap]nity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing electronic payment adoption and financial inclusion in Nigeria through a strategic partnership with domestic card scheme provider, AfriGo.

Also read: UBA launches Afrigo card to boost financial inclusion in Nigeria

This collaboration aims to significantly boost card usage across Unity Bank’s diverse retail customer segments.

The pledge was formalized during a high-level strategic business engagement held at Unity Bank’s head office in Lagos on Friday, May 30, 2025, which saw the participation of AfriGo’s Executive Management team.

Speaking during the session, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, expressed enthusiastic support for the initiative.

“We are committed to making the AfriGo Card a primary delivery channel for Unity Bank. As a national domestic card scheme, it deserves to be promoted both internally and externally as a local solution with significant potential to redefine Nigeria’s card payment landscape,” Kolawole stated.

Mr. Kolawole also pledged the Bank’s continued support for the widespread adoption of AfriGo cards across its network, while urging AfriGo to intensify awareness campaigns to drive greater market acceptability.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of AfriGo, Ebehijie Momoh, commended Unity Bank for its steadfast support, noting that the Bank ranks among the top five adopters of the AfriGo card.

He highlighted AfriGo’s growing impact in expanding financial inclusion and improving access to electronic payments nationwide.

We are committed to making the AfriGo Card a primary delivery channel for Unity Bank. As a national domestic card scheme, it deserves to be promoted both internally and externally as a local solution with significant potential to redefine Nigeria’s card payment landscape.

Momoh pointed out that AfriGo has consistently innovated with technologies that support instant payments and offline capabilities, ensuring broader access to e-payment systems across underserved markets.

He added that partnerships with solutions like Tap & Go have helped boost contactless payment adoption, enhancing convenience for cardholders in various daily activities.

Momoh expressed optimism about the potential of Unity Bank’s extensive retail network to drive deeper collaboration, ultimately aiming to enhance e-banking penetration nationwide.

This collaboration underscores Unity Bank’s enduring culture of digital innovation and its unwavering commitment to financial inclusion through homegrown technology.

Over the years, Unity Bank has introduced several pioneering digital solutions that demonstrate this commitment.

Notably, Unity Bank was among the first to offer USSD banking (*7799#) in local languages, an initiative specifically designed to deepen financial access among underserved rural and semi-urban populations.

The bank also launched Unifi, a youth-focused digital banking platform catering to the lifestyle and financial needs of younger demographics.

Also read: Boosting Nigeria’s payment ecosystem: Access Bank, AfriGOpay partners

Most recently, the Bank unveiled GenFi, a gamified mobile banking solution meticulously tailored for children and teenagers to cultivate smart money habits from an early age.