AfriGO, Nigeria’s first domestic card scheme introduced in 2023 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), is recording strong adoption and reshaping the country’s digital payment landscape.
Built to serve citizens with a dedicated and secure payment solution, AfriGO is steadily transforming everyday transactions. It offers instant merchant settlements, supports multi-sector use including transport systems, and reinforces Nigeria’s control over its financial data by ensuring local transaction processing.
A growing number of financial institutions such as Sterling Bank, Palmpay, Access Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, Union Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Zenith Bank, First Bank, and Keystone Bank are now issuing AfriGO cards to their customers, strengthening the domestic scheme’s national reach.
Unlike traditional international card systems, which often delay fund settlement, AfriGO guarantees immediate payment to merchants at POS terminals. This feature is especially valuable for Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping to improve cash flow and support day-to-day business operations.
Designed with financial inclusion in mind, AfriGO aims to serve unbanked and underbanked communities with an accessible and affordable alternative. Its cards enable ATM withdrawals, online purchases, transit fare payments, and offline transactions where internet access is limited—addressing real needs across urban and rural areas.
With a focus on digital sovereignty, the card scheme ensures all transaction data remains within Nigeria’s borders. This local data processing strengthens user privacy and security while supporting the country’s broader digital economy strategy.
The Chief Executive Officer of Afrigopay Financial Services Limited, the company behind AfriGO, affirmed the initiative’s growing momentum. She described AfriGO not just as a payment tool, but as a national symbol of economic empowerment, merchant support, and financial independence.
AfriGO’s emergence fits squarely into the CBN’s broader goal to deepen the payment infrastructure and promote self-reliant financial systems. With competitive fees and local support, AfriGO is being positioned as a preferred alternative to global card services.
Available through major Nigerian banks and financial institutions, AfriGO cards offer a secure and human-centred approach to payments. Nigerians are encouraged to take advantage of the card’s benefits and join the movement toward a more inclusive and sovereign financial future.
