Launched to meet the pressing need for a card scheme tailored to African markets, Verve has grown into a trusted household name, with over 85 million cards issued and presence in several African countries with an expanding consumer appeal across Africa.

Verve’s story began with a challenge; existing international card solutions struggled to meet the needs of Africa’s diverse and dynamic markets. Issues like regulatory complexity, limited infrastructure, and inconsistent connectivity posed serious barriers.

Verve responded with purpose-built solutions engineered to perform where others couldn’t, delivering stability, security, and interoperability for consumers and institutions alike.

From its roots in Nigeria, Verve has steadily expanded its reach and impact. Today, the Verve network powers millions of transactions daily across ATMs, POS terminals, web, retail outlets, online and offline platforms, while remaining grounded in its commitment to local relevance and innovation.

Now with a network of over 350 members, Verve has earned deep trust across the banking and fintech sectors. Its continued growth underscores a broader narrative: Africa is not just adopting digital payments, it’s shaping them.

Furthermore, strategic partnerships with companies like Manipal and Cardforte have enabled the production of eco-friendly Verve cards, allowing Verve to align with global sustainability goals without compromising on durability or security.

Driving Innovation and Regional Integration: Verve’s Expanding Footprint

Verve continues to evolve with the changing expectations of today’s consumers. Recognizing the growing demand for speed and convenience, the brand introduced contactless payment solution, allowing cardholders to tap-to-pay for quicker, more secure and convenient transactions.

Over 30 million Verve Contactless cards have been issued, and the contactless cards are accepted in about ninety percent terminals across Nigeria.

This feature underscores Verve’s commitment to enhancing user experience through innovation rooted in local relevance.

Breaking Barriers to Cross-Border Payments

One of Verve’s most strategic advancements in recent years is its focus on enabling seamless cross-border payments within Africa.

Through a landmark partnership with GIM-UEMOA, the regional switch for the West African Economic and Monetary Union, Verve became the first Nigerian and African card scheme integrated into a major regional payment network. This integration connects over 130 million people across eight West African countries.

With this breakthrough, Verve cardholders can now perform transactions including withdrawals from ATMs, and more, across the UEMOA region.

This dual strength, regional relevance and collaborations with global brands such as Google, Spotify, Temu, AliExpress, Uber, Facebook Ad, Netflix, amongst others, sets the card apart as a uniquely African success story in the digital payments space, with a future focused on deeper financial inclusion and continental interoperability

Rukayat is on a mission to harness the power of technology to empower and transform lives and businesses.

Her journey is not just about embracing technology but about using it as a catalyst for meaningful change.

Through RKY Digital Solutions, one of the RKY subsidiaries, Rukayat has helped 100+ businesses build tech solutions that optimised their processes and improved productivity, Develop online presence to improve their reach and accessibility through MobileApp, Web and software development solutions, provided better insights for better strategic decision making through Data related projects and much more .

Through RKY Careers, Rukayat has helped 1000+ professionals transition to tech roles and live fulfilling lives.

Rukayat’s personal career journey into tech after a decade of experience in banking has been the inspiration behind the birth of RKY Careers.

As a fresh immigrant in the UK some years back, she was faced with the hurdle of identifying how best to brand her skills and expertise, what roles to apply for? Which of her skills were relevant? And which needed to be enhanced?

Rukayat Alabi sought ways to stand out in the competitive job market, by acquiring tech and analytical skills; she earned a Master’s degree in Financial Technology with distinction, whist also progressing with continuous development into the world of tech.

Rukayat’s foray into the world of technology was born out of her desire to assist immigrants facing the challenges of the job market in the UK. Her main goal was to shorten their learning curve and help them land their desired job seamlessly.

This she has done effortlessly and has led to several recognition, and  accolades, including being named the Ed-tech CEO of the Year in 2023 and one of the Top 25 Nigerians changing the face of Education in 2022, speak volumes about her unwavering commitment to excellence.

Through RKY Careers, her brainchild, Rukayat is transforming lives by equipping immigrants with the skills needed to excel in the tech-driven job market.

She recognizes that many individuals are eager to embrace the opportunities tech offers but may lack the guidance, training, and practical experience to do so effectively.

“My greatest achievement is empowering immigrants abroad to aim higher,” Rukayat shares. “My joy know no bounds when people who thought they were not good enough come back to share success stories of getting Six figures jobs, visa sponsorship jobs and also jobs across borders .”

Rukayat’s philosophy centers on creating excellence from individual needs, strengths, capabilities, and challenges. Her dedication to this motto is evident in her tireless efforts to empower others through technology.

The importance of tech in today’s society cannot be overstated. It opens doors to diverse career opportunities, allows for remote work, and enables lifelong learning.

Rukayat understands that access to quality tech training is a game-changer for individuals looking to transition into this dynamic industry.

Through her visionary leadership, Rukayat has established tech training programs that provide participants with practical experience and knowledge.

Her training covers a wide range of topics, from project management, business analysis, product management, Scrum master and digital marketing to data analysis and compliance /KYC. These programs are designed to bridge the gap between ambition and expertise.

In a world where technology is a driving force for positive change and life, Rukayat stands as a beacon of hope and progress.

Her journey from a banking and tech professional to an Ed-tech CEO exemplifies the limitless possibilities technology offers when placed in the right hands. Her switch from immigrant to Edtech CEO is a testament of her stance to life.

As technology continues to shape our society, Rukayat’s mission remains steadfast: to help people thrive in the digital age. She believes in breaking down barriers and enabling individuals to achieve their career aspirations. Through her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, she is not only changing lives but also reshaping the future of work and education.

In the hope of better days ahead, Rukayat’s brilliance has shown both young and old new ways to embrace life. Her brilliance shines brightly, reminding us that with the right vision, determination, and access to tech training, technology can be a force for transformative and lasting change.