E-Financial
Verve Promises Continued Efficient Payment Solutions Delivery
Verve Card has promised to continually improve financial inclusion across borders and make payments much more seamless and efficient. This promise was made in Lagos by Mitchell Elegbe, Founder/GMD, Interswitch Group, during a media parley to mark Verve’s 10th year anniversary.
The event, which held in Lagos, had in attendance members of the media, partner banks, other trade partners and a representative of the payment industry regulator – Samuel Okojere, Director of Payments Systems Management, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Verve is a leading payments technology and card business in Africa established by Interswitch Group in 2009. It has since grown to become an independent company of its own with a portfolio of several product offerings.
Elegbe stated that the card scheme has experienced steady and explosive growth in the payment segment. He said: “Our card scheme has grown from just an idea to solve the payment inefficiencies in Nigeria, into a bouquet of innovative payment solutions for Nigerians, Africans, and the rest of the world. I consider these first 10 years as years of consolidation and growth. We anticipate the next 10 years to be years of massive investment in unprecedented payment service delivery”, he said.
Noting that nothing good comes easy, Elegbe said that the company has had its fair share of turbulent times, but has succeeded because of its people. He said: “Our people have trudged on, ensuring that objectives set are met, projects are delivered, relationships with partners are well nurtured and ultimately, customers are satisfied. All these have helped the brand to earn its stripes and come this far. Today, the solutions and products Verve has brought to the marketplace demonstrate what can happen to any endeavor when met with the right people, opportunities and environment.”
Currently, the Verve Classic card is issued in Nigeria and eight other African countries and accepted in 21 African countries; while the Verve Global card is accepted in 185 countries including the U.S, U.K and Dubai.
For Mike Ogbalu III, CEO, Verve International, the story of Verve is one of resilience, innovation, determination and most importantly, a business proposition that has turned out to be successful.
He said: “At the time Verve was introduced, Nigeria was dominated by international card schemes. There was the need to have a domestic card scheme with better understanding of the needs of the Nigerian populace and Africans at large. Today, we have built a payment solution that does not only allow ease of payment across Africa, but has a superstructure that the rest of the world is willing to embrace”
He added: “Verve is not only a payment card; Verve has become a lifestyle for its users. It is the way we pay, play and interact. Verve is both a contact and contactless payment solution, a physical and virtual store of value. It is African’s key to exchange”.
The event kicked off with a rendition in spoken words by Wana Wana titled ‘Vervolution’, followed by a 10-minute documentary on ‘The Verve journey, story & Future’.
There was also a panel session moderated by Mike Ogbalu III which featured discussions about the e-payment sector in Nigeria, its attendant challenges and solutions. The panelists were Gbolahan Joshua, Executive Director, Operations and Information, Fidelity Bank Plc; Olu Akanmu, Executive Director, Retail Banking, FCMB; Akeem Lawal, Divisional CEO, Payment Processing, Interswitch and Stanley Jacobs, Chairman, Committee of e-Business Industry Heads, (CeBIH).
Verve was launched in 2009 and is currently the only African card scheme that is a member of EMVCo, the global body responsible for setting and regulating payment card standards.
Nine leading Nigerian banks collectively generated N14.26 trillion in interest income in 2024, reflecting a 119.55% increase from N6.49 trillion in 2023.
This surge is attributed to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee raising benchmark interest rates to combat inflation, which reached 34.80% by the end of the year.
Among the banks, Zenith Bank recorded the highest actual income increase, while First Holdco led in percentage growth. Access Holdings, UBA, GTCO, Stanbic IBTC, FCMB Group, Fidelity Bank, and Wema Bank also reported significant gains.
However, a portion of this income was derived from non-performing loans, raising concerns about the sustainability of these earnings.
In contrast, the manufacturing sector faced operational costs of N2.5 trillion, with high interest and energy expenses straining growth. Industry leaders have called for a halt to further rate hikes, warning of potential risks to the real sector’s recovery.
This financial dynamic underscores the contrasting fortunes of Nigeria’s banking and manufacturing sectors. What are your thoughts on these developments?
In a bid to woo global capital and enhance investor’s confidence, Nigeria’s top financial leaders presented a unified front at a strategic investment forum hosted at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York.
The event was organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), JPMorgan, and the African Private Capital Association (AVCA).
The exclusive gathering brought together leaders from the Nigerian diaspora, global investment institutions, and corporate executives for insightful dialogue on the country’s evolving financial landscape and its readiness to attract global capital for sustainable growth.
Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso in a fireside chat with Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James Robinson, outlined Nigeria’s monetary policy direction, growth prospects, and efforts to deepen its financial markets.
He reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to disciplined policy management, market-friendly reforms, and enhanced transparency to foster a stable, investor-friendly environment. Cardoso also stressed the importance of strong collaboration between regulators like the CBN and market operators such as NGX Group, describing it as critical to building a resilient financial system and mobilising long-term investments.
Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, moderated an engaging discussion on how Nigeria’s reforms are repositioning the country as an increasingly attractive destination for global capital.
“Today’s dialogue marks a pivotal step in reshaping global perceptions of Nigeria’s investment story,” said Popoola. “The candid engagement between policymakers, market operators, and investors reflects the real progress Nigeria is making. NGX Group remains committed to supporting reforms that strengthen market structures, drive innovation, and accelerate economic growth.”
While investors welcomed Nigeria’s reform agenda, they emphasized that sustained confidence will require consistent FX policies, lower transaction costs, reduced regulatory friction, clearer direction on non-oil revenue reforms, an improved ease of doing business, and continued transparency in monetary and fiscal communication.
The forum ended on an optimistic note, with participants expressing strong confidence in Nigeria’s economic prospects and its potential for deeper integration into global financial markets, provided reform momentum continues.
Union Bank of Nigeria has rewarded another set of customers in the ongoing Save and Win Palli Promo 4 campaign. Six lucky customers each won a brand-new motorcycle, and 120 additional winners won cash prizes.
The third monthly hybrid live draws were transparently conducted at the Bank’s Sabo, Yaba Branch in Lagos under the supervision of relevant regulatory institutions.
For integrity purposes, some of the winners were contacted to congratulate and remind them that the Bank will never call to request or confirm their confidential banking details such as BVN, date of birth, pins, or passwords.
Save & Win Palli Promo 4 is a nationwide campaign designed to reward both new and existing customers with cash prizes and other exciting gifts worth N131,000,000.
This initiative aims to support them in achieving their savings goals while getting rewarded at the same time.
To stand a chance to win, customers can continue to top up their savings in multiples of N10,000 or more and perform a minimum of five transactions a month to increase their chances of winning in the draws. This promo is open to new and existing savings and current account holders.
Prospective customers can download the UnionMobile app on their smartphones to open accounts or walk into any Union Bank branch.
Returning customers can call the 24-hour Contact Centre on 07007007000 or visit any Union Bank branch nationwide to reactivate dormant accounts.
How Nigerian Banks Earned N14.26 Trillion in Interest Income in 2024
UN Says Billion-Dollar Cyberscam Industry spreading Globally
Digital Transformation Remains Africa’s Gateway to Economic Advancement – Adumike
FlashChange Partners Ruth Foundation to Empower Vulnerable Children in Alimosho with Skill Acquisition
CBN, NGX Group Defend Economic Reforms at Nasdaq
Telecom2 days agoMTN Nigeria Takes Broadband Services to the Next Level with FibreX Launch
News2 days agoSERAP Files Lawsuit Against NBC Over Ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s Protest Song Tell Your Papa
Telecom23 hours agoDigital Transformation Remains Africa’s Gateway to Economic Advancement – Adumike
Telecom23 hours agoPAFON 2.0: Experts Discuss Pathways to Boost Financial Inclusion in Nigeria
E-Financial2 days agoFCMB Group Redefines Corporate Storytelling with The Power Of The Group TVC
General News23 hours agoEFCC Clarifies SCUML Certificate Misuse amid CBEX Ponzi Scheme Scandal
E-Financial23 hours agoCBN, NGX Group Defend Economic Reforms at Nasdaq
General News23 hours agoFlashChange Partners Ruth Foundation to Empower Vulnerable Children in Alimosho with Skill Acquisition