This marks a significant milestone in Verve’s journey to building a truly interconnected African payment network.

This expansion is powered by a strategic partnership with GIM-UEMOA, the regional payment switch facilitating interoperability and financial inclusion across the UEMOA region, connecting banks and financial institutions in Francophone Africa.

GIM-UEMOA provides the ideal platform to scale Verve’s reach in the region, offering a seamless connection between financial institutions, businesses, and consumers.

At its core, this partnership is about expanding access, unlocking opportunity, and driving shared progress.

Through this collaboration, Verve is enabling millions of new users and businesses to access seamless, secure, and inclusive payment experiences, while reinforcing its commitment to innovation that meets the continent’s evolving financial needs.

For consumers, this means the ability to use Verve cards across borders, connect with a wider network of merchants and services, and participate more fully in Africa’s growing digital economy.

For businesses and financial institutions, it opens the door to new growth opportunities by providing access to a broader, digitally enabled customer base.

This isn’t Verve’s first bold step. Over the years, the brand has formed strong alliances with global platforms such as Google, AliExpress, Temu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Spotify, among others.

These partnerships allow Verve cardholders to easily access digital content, lifestyle perks, and everyday functionality, positioning Verve as not just a payment card, but a trusted lifestyle companion.

In keeping with its commitment to consumer engagement, Verve continues to celebrate and reward its users through initiatives like the Verve GoodLife Promo, a campaign that rewards cardholders with exciting perks for everyday transactions.

With the expansion into UEMOA, users across these new markets, including tourists, visiting consumers and entrepreneurs, can now look forward to the same rewarding experience that Verve cardholders enjoy in other parts of Africa.

As Verve’s presence grows across the continent, so does its promise to deliver more value, convenience, and memorable experiences to users in every market it enters.

This expansion into the UEMOA region brings Verve closer to its vision of connecting Africa through secure and inclusive digital payment solutions. It’s not just about where Verve cards can go, it’s about what they can empower people to do.

Whether you’re a bank looking to broaden your digital offerings, a business aiming to reach more customers, or a consumer ready to experience smarter payments, Verve is here to empower your next step. Join the revolution!

Founded in 2018, The Power 50 shines a spotlight on those who are transforming financial services for the better and delivers ongoing support and development for participants.

Bringing together a diverse yet interconnected community, the Payments Power 50 will serve as a reminder of the significant strides being made in the payments space.

From established financial giants to rising fintech stars, the list will also include well-known influencers whose insights and contributions continue to inspire and challenge the industry.

Since its launch in 2009, Verve has had a spectacular trajectory against daunting odds, carving an impressive niche for itself as Africa’s first world-standard EMV chip and PIN payments card, starting from Nigeria and expanding its issuance and acceptance across over 25 African Countries.

Verve Payment Cards in Nigeria, Africa’s largest consumer market and its pioneer country of issuance have, to date, surpassed 70 million issued payment cards.

Over the last few years, Verve has grown to become the payment card of choice across various tiers of banking service and particularly within the burgeoning fintech/neobank space in Nigeria.

This growth has been driven by significant strategic partnerships across commercial and microfinance banking spheres, as well as fintechs, OFIs, and the public sector supported by sustained innovation and demonstrated understanding of the requirements of its local markets.

As Africa’s premier and leading domestic payment cards scheme, Verve remains focused on addressing peculiar market challenges in Africa by providing secure and cost-effective payment options for individuals and businesses to exchange value, offering both virtual and physical cards that facilitate payment for an increasing number of international services in local currency.

In the last three years, Verve has made significant progress in this regard, having achieved merchant acceptance with platforms such as Google, Spotify, Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime, Facebook, Microsoft, Uber, and Flywire, to mention a few, underscoring a strong resolve to continue to drive relevant partnerships that provide its users in Africa with convenient opportunities to access global services in local denominations.

“We are thoroughly delighted at Verve International and Interswitch with this global recognition on the Payments Power 50 list for 2025, as we continue to consolidate our delivery of global-standard payment solutions essentially tailored to economic and operational realities of the markets where we play across Africa, whilst leveraging value-adding partnerships that ensure we scale our impact and turbo-charge financial inclusion on the African continent. We are grateful to all our customers and partners, and indeed all our colleagues at Verve and Interswitch whose passion and consistent hard work have invariably facilitated global acclaim….” Stated Vincent Ogbunude, managing director for Payment Cards and Tokens at Interswitch and CEO for Verve International.

“Each year, The Power 50 celebrates the standout talent within the fintech community, showcasing ground-breaking companies and influential leaders from across the globe,” says Jason Williams, CEO of The Power 50. “Earning a place on The Power 50 is a testament to the impact individuals and businesses are making in shaping the future of fintech. It also serves as a trusted benchmark for excellence in the industry.”

It would be recalled that Interswitch Group also achieved recognition in the 2022 Global Fintech Power-50, in its 20th anniversary year.

The Payments Power 50 will be featured on the website, with honourees benefiting from exclusive content opportunities, networking events, and year-round industry engagement.

Members of this 2025 inaugural cohort of The Payments Power-50 will be celebrated at the Payments Power 50 Launch Party in London at the Blue Marlin Ibiza on Wednesday, March 26, powered by The Power 50, Pay360, CCGroup, and Paymentology.

These partnerships allow Nigerian shoppers to enjoy seamless, secure, and direct Naira payments on both platforms, eliminating foreign exchange hurdles and enhancing the cross-border shopping experience.

Previously, Temu, a rising global e-commerce platform, did not accept Verve cards, requiring Nigerian shoppers to rely on Visa, Mastercard, or virtual dollar cards for transactions.

With this new partnership, Verve cardholders can now make direct purchases in Naira, accessing Temu’s vast selection of affordable products without the complexity of currency conversions.

Similarly, AliExpress, a subsidiary of Alibaba, now fully accepts Verve cards for payments, addressing previous payment challenges faced by Nigerian users.

Through this collaboration, Verve is simplifying digital commerce, enabling Nigerians to shop on global platforms with ease and security, thereby staying true to its brand promise of making transactions and payments seamless and enriching.

Beyond growing its reach, Verve, with over 15 years of consistent quality delivery, is also shaping the future of payments with its transition to contactless technology, enabling faster, more secure, and convenient transactions across digital and physical payment channels.

Verve’s over 70 million cardholders can now enjoy the ease of tap-and-go payments, further enhancing their transaction experience.

Verve cards are widely accepted across Nigeria and select African countries, providing seamless transactions across ATMs, PoS terminals, and online platforms. Cardholders can also use their Verve cards for subscriptions on Google Play, YouTube Premium, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Uber, Spotify, among others, ensuring a broader, more integrated payment experience.

Through these strategic advancements, Verve, Nigeria’s foremost domestic card, is redefining global commerce, empowering African consumers with seamless, secure, and borderless payment solutions.

With such commitment to continue to expand its reach and innovate, it is not a surprise there are over 70 million Verve cards and token in circulation.

This is why millions of people in, and outside Nigeria are increasingly choosing Verve Card for its unmatched convenience and seamless transactions.

in a world where balancing work, family, and social commitments is a constant challenge, finding better and faster ways of doing the things that matter and keep our lives going is essential.

That’s where Verve, Naija’s Agba and Odogwu Card, comes in—as that trusted companion that simplifies payments and enhances daily experiences without the hassle.

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a soft life? A critical part of the soft life experience includes making payments like a breeze, transactions like smooth sailing, and shopping sprees with pure joy! Verve transforms simple transactions into moments of joy.

Whether swiping, tapping, or clicking, Verve promises a stress-free path to managing finances and enjoying life.

Verve has become a dominant force and thought leader in the payment space, not just in Nigeria but Africa.

It continues to delight consumers and partners with its agility and dedication to their yearnings, creating a portfolio of solutions and tokens such as its Debit, Contactless, Credit, Prepaid cards and more.

It is further changing the narrative with its smart Identity Card solutions giving multi-purpose expressions to what used to be known only for identification.

Have you heard about the Lagos State multi-purpose ID – LAG ID? It serves as a government-issued means of identification and provides access to loans, LAG bus rides, and more. Verve enriches everyday life with these practical conveniences.

For over 15 years, Verve has been synonymous with enabling cardholders to enjoy a good life. Whether binge-watching Netflix, streaming on Prime or Showmax, or enjoying music on Spotify, Verve Card unlocks endless entertainment at users’ fingertips.

Verve offers shoppers various discounts, including a 10% discount on shopping sprees at Addide stores, allowing them to save while they spend.

Verve, the largest PAN African Card Scheme, has over 280 scheme members. Verve is more than just a payment card – it’s a lifestyle enabler! Cardholders can manage their favorite services such as funding their Uber Wallet, Google Play Store contents – LinkedIn, and TikTok, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify, Facebook Ads and more, all in Naira, eliminating concerns about dollar rates or additional fees.

More merchants, partners and global brands around the world now choose Verve Card. Verve is now accepted on Udemy and by many others. The list is endless and still growing.

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. Going shopping or on a date and forgetting your ATM card at home. That is no longer an issue, because with Verve Paycode, cardholders can make payments without their ATM card. This feature enables cardholders to withdraw cash even without their card.

So, here’s the best part – Verve prioritizes convenience over complications. With over 65 million Verve cards in circulation, it’s clear that millions of people find it a trusted choice.

Users appreciate Verve for its seamless transactions and hassle-free experience, making it an essential part of their daily lives.

So, why settle for anything less? Many are switching to Verve today and discovering the benefits of enjoying a more convenient lifestyle.

Verve is not just a payment card; it’s a lifestyle. With its increasing offers, premium access, and a world of boundless possibilities, it’s the perfect companion.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the millions who have already chosen Verve and start living the Verve life, the good life!

The acquisition, which values MX Player at just over $100 million, way lower than its previous $500 million valuation, will drive Amazon’s video streaming offerings in the country.

The acquisition is not a full buyout; Amazon will take over certain assets of MX Player, leaving out some elements of the company. This acquisition comes after nearly two years of negotiations, with Amazon aiming to integrate MX Player’s content with its own Prime Video and miniTV services in India. 

Amazon’s services will now be more popular in smaller Indian cities and towns, regions where MX Player has a strong foothold.

Post-acquisition, Amazon plans to retain the MX Player branding, leveraging its popularity and established user base. MX Player is particularly popular in smaller cities and towns, areas that Amazon’s e-commerce services have struggled to penetrate effectively. 

With the integration of MX Player’s broad content library, which includes local originals and exclusive shows, Amazon aims to attract a wider audience and bolster its market share in the highly competitive Indian OTT sector.

Amazon has been expanding its video streaming services in India, offering affordable Prime subscription variants and partnering with local telecom operators. 

The addition of MX Player’s assets is expected to complement these efforts, providing Amazon with a significant boost in content and user base.

MX Player, originally a South Korean video player app, was acquired by Times Internet in 2018 for approximately $140 million. Since then, it has evolved into a comprehensive ad-supported video streaming platform, gaining substantial popularity across India.

Following the acquisition, Amazon plans to retain the senior management team of MX Player, integrating their expertise into Amazon’s broader operations. This is a way to ensure continuity and leverage the existing team’s knowledge and experience in the Indian market.

The partnership will ensure continued entertainment in India with the great local originals and exclusive content available across Prime Video and miniTV services.

Prime members, who pay $139 annually for the subscription, will now enjoy zero delivery fees on orders over $12.

Previously, Amazon Prime members were offered a free one-year subscription to Grubhub Plus, which auto-renewed at $129 per year. Now, this benefit is permanently included with Prime membership. 

Amazon states that the ordering experience on its platform is similar to that of Grubhub’s website and app, making it accessible to all customers, even those without Prime.

In addition to free delivery, Prime members can also avail themselves of other Grubhub+ perks, such as reduced service fees, 5% credit back on pick-up orders, and exclusive offers. 

A special promotion is also available — Prime members can get $5 off their Grubhub meal order of $25 or more using the code “PRIME5” through June 2.

Jamil Ghani, Vice President of Amazon Prime, highlighted the value of this new benefit, noting that Prime members can save greatly on food delivery alongside other Prime perks, which include Prime Video, Amazon Music, and premium add-ons like RxPass and grocery delivery services from Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh.

Howard Migdal, CEO of Grubhub, is optimistic about the expanded partnership, pointing to the convenience and value it brings to Amazon customers, allowing them to order from Grubhub’s wide network of restaurants directly through Amazon’s platforms.

Prime members can activate this ongoing Grubhub+ offer by visiting the website. Since the inception of the Grubhub+ benefit in 2022, Prime members have saved hundreds of millions of dollars in waived subscription fees and discounts, with those placing at least one order a month saving an average of $300 annually on delivery fees and promotions.

Beyond the new food delivery perks, Amazon Prime continues to offer a wide range of benefits. Members enjoy free shipping on more than 300 million items, including Same-Day and One-Day Delivery on tens of millions of popular products. 

Prime members also gain access to exclusive shopping events such as Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days. The Prime Video service provides lots of movie collections, series, and live sports, including content produced by Amazon MGM Studios.

In addition to entertainment, Amazon Music offers ad-free listening to over 100 million songs and millions of podcast episodes. For healthcare needs, Amazon Pharmacy provides prescription medications as low as $1 per month with free shipping. 

Grocery delivery is also a perk, with free two-hour delivery windows on orders over $100 from Amazon Fresh, along with subscription-based delivery options from Whole Foods Market and other local retailers.

Prime Gaming grants members instant access to free games, a free Twitch channel subscription, and more gaming benefits. Prime Reading allows access to over 3,000 books and magazines. Furthermore, Prime members benefit from an ongoing free membership to Grubhub+, which includes $0 delivery fees on eligible orders over $12.

Anyone can join Prime for $14.99 per month or $139 per year. New users can start a free 30-day trial via the website. Discounted memberships are available for young adults, college students, and qualifying government assistance recipients.

With over 65 million users already on board and counting, the promise of a good life is not just rhetoric, it is evidential. Verve Card is more than just a payment method, it is a ticket to a lifestyle of ease and excitement.

Verve Card is the renowned Africa’s indigenous payment card, with a strong Naija heritage and over 15 years of providing unwavering delightful payment solutions to millions of customers in Nigeria and beyond; and the exciting benefits that come with being part of the Verve family are enormous.

First off, say goodbye to the hassle of juggling multiple subscriptions and hello to uninterrupted fun! Picture unlimited access to your favourite entertainment platforms like Google Play Store, Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax; all seamlessly managed and paid for with your Verve Card, ensuring endless entertainment without any hassle.

With your Verve Card, you are not just paying; you are opening doors to a world of entertainment.

But that is not all, Verve Card extends its magic into other aspects of your everyday activities effortlessly.

So, whether you’re topping up your Uber wallet for smooth rides or managing subscriptions on Google Play Store, LinkedIn, and TikTok, Verve has got you covered, all in Naira!

Love shopping? Let’s go there! With a Verve Card at hand, you can now get a fantastic 10% discount on your shopping spree at any Addide store. It is the perfect way to save on your purchases while enjoying the wide variety of goods available.

And here is where things get even more exciting: Verve has teamed up with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) and Sterling Bank to power the innovative LAG ID.

This multi-purpose ID is not just about identification—it opens doors to loans, LAG bus access, train services and a plethora of other benefits, making it an indispensable part of your daily life.

And just when you think you have seen it all, there comes the awkward moment when you have to make payment and you find out you have left your card at home. Even at such awkward moments, Verve card pulls up another cutting-edge solution called Paycode.

With Paycode, you can generate payment codes on the fly, ensuring you are never stranded without access to your funds. Plus, experience the sheer convenience of contactless payments with the Verve Contactless Card; speeding up your checkout process while minimizing physical contact.

Switching to Verve is not just a financial decision—it is a lifestyle upgrade. From unlimited entertainment and shopping perks to innovative payment solutions, Verve Card is your passport to a simpler, faster, and all-around good life.

So, now that you are Verve aware, let’s welcome you to the Verve family. Start using your Verve card or ask your bank for one! Remember to take a moment to confirm it is a Verve Card.

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The move, announced in an email to staff by Prime Video Europe VP Barry Furlong, aims to “rebalance and pivot resources to focus on the areas that drive the highest impact and long-term success.” The shift entails several key changes. Firstly, Amazon Prime Video will be scaling back its content production and staff presence in Africa and the Middle East (MENA). 

While existing projects like “LOL ZA” and “Ebuka Turns Up Africa” will continue, the development and greenlighting of new local originals in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East,and North Africa is likely to be put on hold for the foreseeable future.

Secondly, the European team will be restructured into two distinct segments. “EU Established” will focus on established markets like the UK, Germany, France, and Spain, while “EU Emerging” will target growth in Benelux, the Nordics, and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Both segments will report directly to Barry Furlong, the Vice President of Prime Video Europe.

Thirdly, the European restructuring may lead to staff reductions, although the exact number of potential layoffs remains unclear.

Finally, Amazon plans to create a new executive role titled “Director of EU Content and Programming Strategy.” This individual will be responsible for bridging the gap between U.S. and international teams within the Amazon MGM Studios pipeline.

This reprioritization comes as a surprise, considering Prime Video’s recent investments in Africa and MENA. Dedicated country teams in Nigeria and South Africa, multi-year licensing deals, and partnerships with local production studios all pointed towards ambitious expansion plans. Africa, in particular, was a focus, with projected market growth to 18 million paying subscribers by 2029.

However, challenges remained. With Netflix and Showmax holding a combined 75% market share, Amazon faced stiff competition. Streaming penetration is also low, concentrated in South Africa and Nigeria. Prime’s estimated 575,000 sub-Saharan customers in 2021, projected to reach 1.9 million by 2026, fell short of lofty goals.

This retreat reflects a global shift within Amazon’s streaming strategy. Facing a saturated market in the U.S., the company is looking towards international expansion for growth. Europe, with its established markets and potential for further penetration, appears to be the new focus.

The impact of this move on African storytellers and the continent’s nascent streaming industry remains to be seen.While already greenlit projects will move forward, the halt on new originals could stifle creativity and limit opportunities. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that streaming penetration in Africa is still in its early stages. Local players like Showmax and upcoming entrants like Disney+ could fill the void left by Prime Video’s retreat, fostering a diverse and vibrant African streaming landscape.

This evolving scenario emphasizes the dynamic nature of the global streaming market, where players constantly adapt and change to scale through fierce competition and seize emerging opportunities. 

Only a few decades ago, the industry was not as lucrative as it is today, due to factors like poor production output, and piracy.

However, technological intervention in the production process has made Nollywood movies more appealing to a global audience. As such, through improved movie distribution channels, viewers can now access Nigerian movies in cinemas as well as on international movie streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Showmax.

Cinematographer, Chuks Oteke, once shared the frustrations he experienced with his work some years back. According to him, clients constantly blamed him for poor movie output after he edited the shots he received from them.

He tried to explain to them that the poor clips he received from them were the major factor contributing to the post-production output delivered.

In a quest to address this constant feedback and restore his reputation, he decided to carry out some research while working as a camera operator across various film sets.

Chuks soon discovered that the use of poor production equipment was the cause of the problem.

He explored building his own equipment as purchasing new ones was quite expensive. For him, the need to have the right camera angles, light, and much more to get the required shots birthed Film Anatomie. His curiosity and ability to improvise saw him create technologies needed by many movie producers in the country.

Although Chuks had a great solution to offer the largest movie production industry in the world (in terms of output), his business had a setback like many African startups; there was a need to reach the right customers and drive profit.

Common among many business founders and owners, it is easy to get excited about owning a business of your own or founding the next big thing that will happen to humanity. However, it is important to note that it is one thing to develop great products or services, and another thing to be able to reach the right target market, drive sales and scale your business.

Here is the good news; using an effective growth strategy, the business reached over 250,000 filmmakers and directors, generated 127 qualified leads, and recorded a 400% return on ad spend in only 90 days.

How did they make this happen? Here are a few things tech founders can adopt from Film Anatomie’s growth strategy and Startup LaunchCode’s work on the business.

1. Identify the ideal customer for your product or service and create personas for each of them.
2.  Assess and optimize your online presence and footprint. Film Anatomie’s website was rebranded to improve the perception of the brand in the marketplace they were looking to engage.
3.  Map out your customer journey, identify the touchpoints the ideal customer would go through in engaging with your brand, the key activities at each stage, and assign KPIs that your team would track.
4.  Develop a content plan that would engage and nurture the prospect and move them further down the customer journey.
5. Create a growth plan to monitor business activities. This can be for an average of 90 days.
6. Consider launching an omnichannel campaign to reach the identified target market of your business.