• News
  • Business
  • Opportunities
    • Articles & Resources
  • Spotlight
  • Views
    • Interviews
    • Opinions
  • MSME Jobs
  • More
    • Africa
    • World
  • webmail
  • Terms of Use
MSME Africa
  • News
  • Business
  • Opportunities
    • Articles & Resources
  • Spotlight
  • Views
    • Interviews
    • Opinions
  • MSME Jobs
  • More
    • Africa
    • World
  • webmail
  • Terms of Use
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Business
  • Opportunities
    • Articles & Resources
  • Spotlight
  • Views
    • Interviews
    • Opinions
  • MSME Jobs
  • More
    • Africa
    • World
  • webmail
  • Terms of Use
No Result
View All Result
MSME Africa
No Result
View All Result

Digital Payments Disrupt Recharge Card Market, Forcing Small Vendors to Rethink Survival Strategies

Olusola Blessing by Olusola Blessing
October 8, 2025
in Business, News
0
Digital Payments Disrupt Recharge Card Market, Forcing Small Vendors to Rethink Survival Strategies
Share

The once-thriving recharge card vending business in Nigeria is losing ground as more people embrace digital payment platforms and bank-based airtime purchases, reshaping a trade that supported thousands of small-scale sellers for nearly two decades.

Findings show that an increasing number of Nigerians now prefer to recharge their mobile lines directly through banking apps or USSD services, a shift driven by the rapid adoption of cashless transactions and growing awareness of digital financial tools.

“In the past, selling recharge cards was easy. With N100,000 worth of stock, I could sell out quickly. But now, it’s the opposite. Recharge cards are no longer selling like before,” a vendor lamented, pointing to dwindling sales as customers migrate to digital platforms.

Another vendor explained that most customers now buy airtime directly from their bank accounts, often enjoying cashback or loyalty benefits. “Only those without smartphones or those unfamiliar with digital banking still buy cards regularly,” she noted.

The shift is forcing many small-scale traders to adapt or risk closure. One vendor said she had diversified her business to include POS services, bill payments, and subscription sales, though recharge cards were once her best-selling product. In an effort to retain customers, she has started offering direct airtime purchases from her banking app. “I ask for their number and buy it for them. It’s the only way to keep some customers,” she added.

While the rise of digital payments has improved convenience and efficiency for consumers, it also threatens the livelihoods of thousands of micro and small business owners whose income depends on physical recharge card sales. For these vendors, survival increasingly depends on their ability to pivot, integrate digital services into their offerings, and explore new revenue streams in a rapidly changing marketplace.

This ongoing transition highlights a broader reality for Nigeria’s informal economy: as technology reshapes consumer behaviour, small businesses must innovate quickly to remain relevant and competitive.

Post Views: 7
Share

Related Posts:

  • Call For Proposals: Nigeria Soot-free Bus CNG/Electric Bus Deployment Projects (US$ 240,000 - US$ 300,000)
    Call For Proposals: Nigeria Soot-free Bus…
  • Trends shaping global payment processing in 2023
    Trends shaping global payment processing in 2023
  • Best Cities to live as an Entrepreneur in Nigeria
    Ultimate 2025 Guide to the Top Business Enabling…
  • Top 15 Social Media Marketing Tools for Nigerian Entrepreneurs
    15 Social Media Management Tools That Will Make Life…
  • MSME Africa Unveils Top 50 Remarkable MSME Founders 2023, Awards them $25,000 in Media Credits
    MSME Africa Unveils Top 50 Remarkable MSME Founders…
  • Millions of Nigerians at Risk of Losing USSD Access Due to N160bn Debt owed by Banks
    Millions of Nigerians at Risk of Losing USSD Access…
Tags: MSMEsSMEs
Previous Post

NIRSAL Boosts Agribusiness Financing to N70 Billion in 2025, Targets N150 Billion as Sector Lending Rebounds

Next Post

FAAN Begins Full Cashless Payment System at Abuja Airport with Unified Digital Wallet

Next Post
FAAN Begins Full Cashless Payment System at Abuja Airport with Unified Digital Wallet

FAAN Begins Full Cashless Payment System at Abuja Airport with Unified Digital Wallet

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Result
View All Result
Join MSME on Whatsapp
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of our best posts. Learn more!
icon
By subscribing, you agree with our privacy policy and our terms of service.

Recent Posts

  • First Lady Supports 500 Women-Owned Small Businesses in Katsina
  • Nestlé Nigeria Expands Youth Empowerment Drive with Graduation of 20 Trainees from Technical Training Centre
  • FCCPC Warns Kano Traders Against Food Adulteration with Toxic Chemicals
  • FG Boosts Food Security with Distribution of Farm Inputs to Ebonyi Smallholder Farmers
  • FAAN Begins Full Cashless Payment System at Abuja Airport with Unified Digital Wallet

Recent Comments

  • 10 Reasons Why SMEs Should Invest in Video Marketing - MSME Africa on How to Create Viral Videos for Social Media in 2024
  • link alay4d on 5 Nigerian-based Companies Providing Accelerator Programs for Startups in 2024
  • Damilare Oladeji on Nigerian Government Agencies that Support Entrepreneurship in 2024
  • situs alay4d on 50 Best Tools to Boost Your Productivity as an Entrepreneur in 2025
  • Otabor Osayomore Blessing on Ultimate 2025 Guide to the Top Business Enabling Cities for Startup Founders and Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
  • About us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Submit News
  • Terms of Use

© 2023 MSME Africa - All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Financial Services
  • Opportunities
  • About Us

© 2023 MSME Africa - All rights reserved.