Unity Bank Plc has taken a bold step toward expanding electronic payment adoption and promoting financial inclusion through a strategic partnership with AfriGo, Nigeria’s national domestic card scheme. The collaboration aims to boost card usage across Unity Bank’s retail customer base and reshape the local e-payment landscape.
This commitment was reaffirmed during a strategic business engagement session held at Unity Bank’s corporate headquarters in Lagos on Friday, where the bank hosted the Executive Management of AfriGo.
In his remarks, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, emphasized the bank’s readiness to adopt AfriGo as a key payment channel.
“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,” Mr. Kolawole stated.
He further pledged Unity Bank’s sustained support in driving the adoption of AfriGo cards across its network, while calling on AfriGo to intensify awareness campaigns to foster greater public acceptance of the card.
AfriGo’s Managing Director, Ebehijie Momoh, lauded Unity Bank for its support and highlighted the institution’s position among the top five adopters of the AfriGo card.
“Unity Bank has shown remarkable commitment to the success of the scheme. AfriGo is driving financial inclusion by improving access to electronic payments, especially in underserved areas. Our innovations — including instant payment features and offline transaction capabilities — ensure that more Nigerians can participate in the formal financial ecosystem,” Momoh noted.
He also cited ongoing collaborations with platforms like Tap & Go, which have boosted the adoption of contactless payments for everyday transactions, enhancing convenience for commuters and consumers.
The partnership reflects Unity Bank’s broader digital transformation agenda and its legacy of delivering homegrown technology solutions aimed at fostering inclusion. Over the years, the bank has launched several pioneering initiatives, such as the \*7799# USSD banking service available in local languages, the youth-focused Unifi digital platform, and GenFi — a gamified mobile banking app for children and teens that promotes early financial literacy.
As Unity Bank and AfriGo continue to collaborate, both parties expressed optimism that the partnership will deepen e-banking penetration and strengthen Nigeria’s digital payment infrastructure.