Both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Credit Direct’s headquarters in Lagos. 

The agreement allows customers to pay 20% of a vivo smartphone’s price upfront, then spread the remaining balance over six months. Credit Direct will provide the financing.

The two firms say the plan targets a long-standing issue in the Nigerian market, where people want smartphones, but many cannot afford to pay in full at once.

Nigeria has about 120 million smartphone users. Still, a large share of the population lacks access to a device. With more than 40% of Nigerians still not using smartphones, the cost is the limitation.

Under the partnership, customers will also be able to access vivo devices through more than 600 retail stores across 25 states. Both companies are targeting sales of over 200,000 devices in the first year.

Credit Direct, a subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, said the arrangement fits into its consumer lending model, which focuses on extending credit to people outside traditional banking systems.

The company’s managing director and chief executive, Chukwuma Nwanze, said the partnership brings together financing and mobile technology in a practical way.

“Nigeria has millions of smartphone users, but the gap between those who are connected and those who are not remains wide, and the primary reason for that gap is access to capital. This partnership addresses that directly,” he said.

“vivo has built a strong mobile product over the years, and Credit Direct has been providing financing to people who have been shut out of the formal financial system for years. What this partnership does is bring those two realities together. People who need smartphones but cannot afford to buy one outright can now do so through a payment plan that does not strain their monthly income.”

He further stated that the mission has always been to make financial solutions a universal opportunity, and this is exactly what this looks like. “I am genuinely excited about what we can achieve together.” Chukwuma Nwanze, MD/CEO, Credit Direct said.

vivo Nigeria said the agreement strengthens its goal to expand access in a highly competitive market.

“We chose Credit Direct because they are the clear leaders in consumer financing in Nigeria, and they operate with a level of professionalism that gave us confidence. Instalment-based device purchasing was something we had explored before, but it did not come together at the time. 

“With Credit Direct’s backing and infrastructure, we are confident this will be different. This is a partnership we believe in.” Toni Liu, CEO, vivo Nigeria.

Nigeria’s smartphone financing space has been growing as device prices become more expensive for many buyers. Similar models have appeared across the industry, including initiatives linked to Transsion brands such as Tecno and Infinix, as well as Samsung Nigeria, which works with financial institutions to offer instalment payments.

Analysts say these financing options are becoming more important as mobile internet use expands. Nigeria’s digital economy was valued at about $18 billion in 2025, and access to affordable devices is seen as paramount to further growth in e-commerce, fintech, and online services.

Market observers also expect instalment-based purchases to bring millions of new users into the smartphone ecosystem over the next few years, as companies compete to reduce the upfront cost barrier.

While many smartphones tried to juggle dozens of features, the TECNO CAMON made imaging its identity. The camera was not an accessory. It was the heart of the device. That clarity has guided every generation since.

Each iteration of CAMON has refined the way people capture life. Faces look more natural. Light feels more balanced. Motion appears sharper. Nighttime shots are brighter and more detailed.

Dynamic scenes are captured smoothly without blur. Every moment that matters, from birthdays and celebrations to weekend adventures and family gatherings, is preserved with clarity and emotion. CAMON does more than take photos. It transforms memories into stories that can be relived for years.

Over time, CAMON became a trusted companion for creators and everyday users alike. It became the device relied on when moments could not be missed. The moments that must be shared, remembered, and cherished.

The series quietly built a reputation for reliability and innovation, making professional-grade photography accessible to anyone holding a CAMON device.

Intelligence That Sees Before You Click

As the series evolved, CAMON transformed from a camera-focused phone into an intelligent photography system. Modern devices no longer depend solely on megapixels or sensors. They use advanced artificial intelligence to anticipate the perfect shot.

The camera adjusts to lighting instantly, enhances portraits naturally, and preserves true-to-life skin tones across diverse complexions.

AI recognizes scenes, movement, and backgrounds in real time, helping users capture sunsets, city streets, indoor gatherings, and outdoor adventures with confidence.

Complex night scenes or fast-moving action are automatically optimized, ensuring every photo looks polished and professional.

Every image feels intentional and alive. The system works quietly behind the scenes so users can focus on the moment rather than settings. Low-light photography is sharper than ever. Colors are accurate and vibrant.

Video recording is smoother and more stable, allowing stories to unfold seamlessly in motion. With CAMON, everyday users become storytellers, effortlessly capturing life as it happens.

Progress That Feels Real

The evolution of CAMON is built on steady and meaningful innovation. Every generation improves the aspects of photography users notice most.

Low-light performance now reveals details that older devices would miss. Color reproduction is more accurate and lifelike. Processing speed minimizes shutter lag, ensuring fleeting expressions are never lost.

Video recording has become smoother, more stable, and cinematic, giving moving images the same attention to detail as still photography.

These improvements may seem incremental, but in everyday use they have a powerful effect. Mobile photography is no longer occasional. It is constant, reliable, and intuitive. It captures how we communicate, celebrate, and remember the world around us.

A Legacy of Innovation Made for You

The CAMON Series is more than a smartphone lineup. It is a legacy of innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with thoughtful design to make advanced photography accessible and practical for millions of users.

In Nigeria, where every moment counts and every memory matters, CAMON has become a trusted partner for capturing life in all its vibrancy.

From street festivals to weekend trips, from social moments to personal milestones, CAMON ensures every shot counts. Each device blends intuitive design with powerful features, enabling users to capture every moment effortlessly.

Every image, video, and shared memory benefits from a camera that leads the experience rather than follows it.

The story of CAMON is still unfolding. Technology will continue to advance. AI will become smarter. Features will grow even more powerful. Yet one principle remains unchanged.

In every TECNO CAMON device, the camera comes first, and every moment deserves to be captured brilliantly.

For more updates, follow TECNO on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X(Twitter).

The need to stay online for hours, streaming on TikTok without the stress of carrying a power bank around, worrying about the phone lagging while using it, or even waiting for 20-30 minutes to charge before coming back up are problems the average mobile user has to deal with consistently. 

The TECNO Spark 40 series is the solution to the challenges encountered by the average smartphone user. The SPARK 40 Pro and Pro Plus are nothing short of engineering marvels; these mobile gadgets are an embodiment of the Nigerian hustle mentality, big on power, performance, and sleek in design. 

The TECNO Spark 40 Series is the first mid-range phone to operate on the new Media Helio G200 processor, eliminating phone lagging and slow response time.

The device is packed with a battery power of 5200mAh, 45W fast charging and a 30W wireless charging, which is a major technology advancement for the SPARK 40; these features ensure its users are always active on the go, without the need for a powerbank, now that’s peace of mind.

The TECNO AI Smart Assistant is the next level of whatever you think you know about artificial intelligence. It is your personal assistant, manager, editor, bookkeeper, record manager, idea machine, and even your first stop for security management.

Having all of these fantastic features without any protective measures for the phone’s screen would make it a terrible phone for the hustle we say it is for.

This is why the TECNO Spark 40 comes with the Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, you can mount your phone on any tripod stand without the fear of it falling and its screen cracking easily.

The TECNO Spark 40 Series comes with a sleek Super AMOLED 4500-nit display, calm on your eyes shape but with picture clarity.

The TECNO Spark 40 Series is now available at all major retail stores across Nigeria With the SPARK 40 Series, TECNO challenges expectations of what affordable smartphones can deliver — combining style and strength, intelligence and endurance, all in a sleek body.

Whether it’s a user’s first smartphone or their next upgrade, the SPARK 40 Series is built to keep up and built to last.

About TECNO 

TECNO is an AI-driven innovative technology brand with a presence in over 70 markets across five continents. Committed to transforming the digital experience in global emerging markets, TECNO relentlessly pursues the perfect integration of contemporary aesthetic design with the latest technologies and artificial intelligence.

Today, TECNO offers a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-powered products, including smartphones, smart wearables, laptops, tablets, smart gaming devices, the HiOS operating system, and smart home products.

Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing,” TECNO continues to pioneer the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and AI-driven experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and brightest futures.