PalmPay has called for stronger infrastructure and better access to finance for small businesses as essential to the next phase of financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria.

This position was shared by Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, during a panel session at Digital Pay Expo 2026, where regulators, fintech leaders, payment operators and other key ecosystem stakeholders gather to discuss the future of digital payments in Africa.

Speaking during a session focussed on advancing financial inclusion and SME growth, Nwosu said that while the micro, small, and medium enterprises remain central to economic activity, many still face real barriers around access to credit, reliable payment infrastructure, and the relevant digital tools needed to grow sustainably.

According to him, meaningful financial inclusion must go beyond onboarding more users into the formal financial rail. It must also address the structural issues that limit how small businesses participate, transact, and scale.

“SMEs contribute 40 per cent of the country’s GDP. For us in PalmPay, Financial inclusion is not just about enabling transactions. It is also about helping businesses access the tools and support they need to expand, build resilience, and create jobs.

He also highlighted the importance of digital literacy, noting that as digital tools and AI become more embedded in financial services, business owners must be equipped to use them effectively and responsibly.

For PalmPay, the future of inclusion will depend not only on innovation, but on how well the ecosystem reduces friction for small businesses and provides the infrastructure and financial support they need to grow.

Discussions at the event also pointed to the need for stronger collaboration across the ecosystem and more practical approaches to helping SMEs move from awareness to adoption of digital financial services.

PalmPay’s MD noted that unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s SMEs will require a combination of accessible finance, financial education, trusted platforms, and coordinated ecosystem support.

The dual of little Damilare Adeniran and Gold Obi Besong, students of Pastor Adegboyega Nursery and Primary School, Ketu emerged overall winners in this year’s KidsCook Showdown 2.0 held over the weekend.

KidsCook Showdown is an initiative of Dominion Consultancy Concepts, aimed at introducing children between the ages of 6 and 8 to household chores early.

At the grand finale of the contest that featured four schools with two cooking contests of pasta and swallow, Pastor Adegboyega Nursery and Primary School, Ketu secured the highest points by the three judges, Aina Memorial Nursery and Primary School was the runners up; while Oke-Ifako Nursery and Primary School, Gbagada took third place.

Mrs. Enitan Tanimowo, Director, Dominion Consultancy Concepts, organiser of the event, said the goal of KidsCook Showdown is to inspire children to see cooking not just as a chore, but as a fun, creative way to develop themselves, learn discipline, and build confidence and these skills help them into the future.

“It is a thing of joy for us. When we started, it was a case of what can these children do? After all they are too small. But, we found out that the children can do things, they are not babies. What we are doing today is to prove that our children can do much more if we entrust them with that responsibility.

“There are a lot happening in our environment especially as many adults lack responsibilities today which can be trace back to upbringing. This event reminds parents of the need to train their children the way they should go, so, when they grow up they will be balance by understanding what responsibility means.

Tanimowo added that the initiative directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)—by using hands-on, practical learning to promote balanced nutrition and social development. The event is bringing together parents, teachers, and professionals to champion the next generation.

Looking forward to 2027

She said the goal is to impact more children. This year, we worked with 6 schools in partnership with LASUBEB. And we want to impact more schools across different local governments in Lagos State.

“There’s need to equip our children to be hand-on, be diligent and responsible, it helps them. One research I read reveals that when children are taught how to be responsible at home, it helps them academically. This is one fact that many parents don’t know.

“One thing we have observed since the beginning of this initiative is that a lot of children within the ages of 6 and 8 are not taught how to be responsible at home.

These children should be capable at this age because their brain is already developing cognitive skills, the message is that parents need to do more in training our children better to be more responsible, be hands-on, it does help them. It helps the country as a whole because if we have more people that are responsible, they will be able to solve problems, take initiatives and as well build their businesses.

“We are excited by the level of participation in this edition and plans to reach out to more local governments in Lagos state. Our goal is to impact more children to be hands-on and responsible and in turn develop entrepreneurship skills in the children.

Digital solutions company, Globacom, has optimized its “Borrow Me Credit” service, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that subscribers remain connected even when they have insufficient or low airtime balance.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the company disclosed that it has simplified the eligibility requirements for the service, enabling millions of active prepaid subscribers nationwide to access instant airtime and data when needed.

Globacom explained that although the service attracts a charge, its primary objective is to provide timely support to customers whenever they run low on credit.

The enhanced “Borrow Me Credit” platform now offers additional features, including “Borrow Special Data” and the option to “Borrow Airtime/Data for Others.” These innovations allow subscribers to support friends and family members who may be unable to recharge immediately, thereby strengthening connectivity and fostering a stronger sense of community among Glo users.

According to the company, the service ensures that subscribers remain connected in critical situations, whether for urgent business communications, late-night academic research, or keeping in touch with loved ones during emergencies.

Globacom noted that the service accommodates diverse customer needs, with airtime and data packages ranging from as little as N25 to as much as N4,000, offering flexible options to suit different usage patterns.

It further stated that borrowing limits are determined by a customer’s usage profile and level of engagement on the network, with more active subscribers qualifying for higher credit and data limits.

By maintaining regular activity on the network, prepaid customers can access different borrowing tiers, from basic emergency airtime to larger data packages. This structure ensures the sustainability of the service while rewarding frequent users with borrowing limits that align with their digital needs and lifestyle.

Globacom encouraged all eligible prepaid subscribers to take advantage of the service by dialing *303# and selecting their preferred airtime or data option. Customers can also obtain additional information on eligibility requirements and applicable service charges by visiting the official Globacom website.