• Blink Travel Card promotes economic participation among returning Nigerians, expatriates, and tourists
• Available instantly to use at over 40 million merchants and ATMs nationwide

O3 Capital, a Nigerian fintech and the country’s first non-bank credit card issuer, recently launched its new Blink Travel Card (“Blink Card”) designed to simplify international travel to Nigeria for returning Nigerians, expatriates, and tourists, boosting spending and economic participation across the festive season.

Available now in both digital and physical form, the Blink Card can be instantly acquired and loaded with currency from any foreign bank card, converted to naira, enabling transactions to be completed in the local currency.

The card offers tap-to-pay and cash withdrawals at over 40 million merchants and ATMs nationwide, making it the ideal solution for visitors to Nigeria.

The Blink Card also avails Nigerians in the diaspora to spend like locals when they return to their country of origin.

Payments for goods and services can be completed via the virtual Blink Card, linked to the O3Cards app. Funds can also be transferred instantly to all local banks and other financial institutions.

According to the World Bank, remittance inflows account for approximately 5.6% of Nigeria’s GDP, and the resultant spending power is unlocked when the diaspora returns home for the festive period. In December 2024, c. ₦95 billion was injected into the Nigerian economy by inbound passengers – 90% being diasporic Nigerians – spending on short-let accommodation and hotels, events and hospitality, nightlife and dining, and vehicle rentals.

The launch of the Blink Card promises to spur this spending further, providing a significant boost to local businesses.

Blink Cards are available for collection at all Nigerian international airports, offering an immediate and hassle-free route to financial empowerment for people arriving in the country.

Blink Card carriers benefit from increased convenience, flexibility, and safety by not needing to carry large amounts of physical cash, while the ability to pre-load cards promotes smarter budgeting practices.

Abimbola Pinheiro, chief executive officer of O3 Capital, said:

“We are excited to launch the Blink Card to promote greater economic participation among visitors to Nigeria. The card removes the needless friction and costs involved in legacy foreign exchange and cash payment processes, offering a quicker and more transparent option for spending in the country. 

“As Nigerians begin traveling home for Christmas – combined with the regular traffic of arriving tourists, expatriates, and businesspeople – this is the perfect time to launch a solution catering to the financial needs of visitors, tapping into the seasonal spending boom which provides an annual lifeline for local economies and SMEs.”

The launch of the Blink Card marks the latest milestone in O3’s strategic expansion journey following sustained and growing demand for the company’s products and services.

O3 has consistently operated at the forefront of innovation in card payments, from launching the first non-bank credit cards to issuing a suite of international cards for consumers and SMEs, designed specifically to support the international spending needs of businesses, underscoring the company’s mission to promote economic empowerment in Nigeria.

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The cards are:

1. O3 American Express Green Card for consumers,
2. O3 American Express Gold Card for consumers, and
3. O3 American Express Platinum Card for consumers; and
4. O3 American Express Gold Business Card for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

With the O3 American Express Green, Gold, and Platinum Cards, O3 Capital will enhance its overall customer offering, providing American Express Card Members a range of travel and lifestyle benefits for use in Nigeria and when travelling overseas.

These Cards will provide access to discounts at select businesses across Nigeria, cinema and dining perks, hotel and car rental benefits, and various insurances and protections.

Additionally, the O3 American Express Platinum Card will provide access to a travel and lifestyle concierge service, a membership with a global hotel programme, and five complimentary visits per year to eligible local and international airport lounges.

Cards will be able to be used at American Express accepting merchants across Nigeria and around the world.

The O3 American Express Gold Business Card will be the first American Express card launched in Nigeria to specifically support the spending needs of businesses.

This card will improve the day-to-day management of business transactions and cashflow with access to a credit facility, the ability to perform international transactions, and the inclusion of an extended repayment period of up to 45 days.

It will also aim to support the running of a business, with benefits such as three complimentary visits per year to eligible local and international airport lounges, car rental perks, and travel insurance included.

Abimbola Pinheiro, Chief Executive Officer of O3 Capital, said:

“This agreement with American Express is a significant milestone, both for O3 Capital and for Nigerian businesses. We will provide solutions for a wide range of customers – from consumers looking for more value from their payment products to businesses who want to enjoy the benefits of a domestically issued card with the international reach of American Express. We are particularly proud to be the first who will issue an American Express Business card to the Nigerian business community and we look forward to working with American Express to fulfil our potential.”

Mohammed Badi, President of Global Network Services at American Express, commented:

“With the O3 Capital American Express cards, consumers and businesses in Nigeria will have even more payment choice. American Express is excited to continue to strengthen its presence in Nigeria and expand its reach across Africa. The first-ever American Express Business Card in the most populous African country will give us another way to support local businesses with their growth aspirations.”

Established in 2014, O3 Capital is currently the second largest credit card issuer in Nigeria with over 20,000 cards. It has strategically focused on issuing Naira-denominated credit and prepaid cards to the Nigerian market.

American Express is a globally integra

ted payments company with products and services such as personal cards, business cards and services, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, etc.

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