In a major development for Nigeria’s digital economy, Google Play has announced a new partnership with Verve, the largest domestic card scheme in Africa, enabling Nigerians to make payments on the Play Store using the local currency, the naira.
The collaboration was warmly received by industry leaders, with Anthea Crawford, Head of Retail and Payment Partnerships at Google Play, expressing her excitement about the partnership.
She stated, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Verve, expanding Google Play access for more Nigerians. The introduction of local payments with Verve cards is a significant milestone, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the app economy and access the apps they need.”
Vincent Ogbunude, the Managing Director of Verve International, highlighted the importance of this integration in realizing Verve’s vision of promoting financial inclusion. “We are excited to bring digital content and services closer to Verve cardholders, hence bridging the digital divide,” he said.
As Nigeria’s leading payment card scheme, Verve’s expanding acceptance promotes inclusion by extending the reach of digital services to a larger segment of the population.
Users can now easily add their Verve cards to their Google Play Accounts and pay in Naira, simplifying the payment process for apps and services while contributing to a more inclusive digital environment for Nigerians.
With the partnership in effect, Nigerians can now use their Verve cards to make purchases on the Google Play Store.
This move comes as a significant relief to many Nigerians who were facing challenges with international payments due to forex demands on their banks.
Google’s decision to process Verve transactions within Nigeria in the local currency ensures that these transactions will be treated as local transactions by the country’s banking institutions.
Google Pay, a mobile payment service developed by Google, enables in-app, online, and in-person contactless purchases on mobile devices, allowing users to make payments using their Android phones, tablets, or watches.
This new collaboration marks a significant stride forward for the digital ecosystem in Nigeria, making it easier and more accessible for Nigerians to participate in the app economy and access a wider range of digital services. As technology continues to drive advancements in financial services, this partnership between Google Play and Verve sets the stage for greater financial inclusion in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital landscape]]p]]
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