General News
AnabelMobile is Simply a Smartphone-Okoye
Nicholas Okoye, managing director/chief executive officer, AnabelMobile is a consummate professional. He has experience in the finance and international capital markets and has worked with Merryl Lynch, United States of America. Okoye was also head of Strategy at the Nigerian Stock Exchange and group executive director at Transcorp and acting chief executive at Nitel for a brief period
Why AnabelMobile
There were two major issues that informed this bold step – if you look at the telecoms industry in Nigeria and of course, Africa, you will find out that there are no local players in the devices and handsets space. It is dominated by international brands and I thought there was a need for a Nigerian appeal in that particular niche of the market space. Particular of interest was once I tried to set the date and time of one of my international brand phones but could not find Nigeria on their menu but every country in the world was there. That was very annoying to me that Nigeria was not recognized by any of these brands meanwhile, they dominate in our market place and make a lot of money from Nigeria. So, I felt that the only reason that is happening is because we are not doing it ourselves and rather than going out to preach to our people on the need to design our own phones and manufacture something that is designed for us with our own embedded technologies, music, aspects that refer to us; I decided we could do it ourselves and put everything together, went out and did it! In addition to that, we decided that within the phone space, it has to be Smartphones. Smartphones are otherwise known as pocket PCs. These are phones that are able to act like computers, so they run on computer operating systems – ours run on Windows Mobile. They have central processing units (CPUs) and chips just like any other computer, and you can actually do your work on the move as if it were your office. Our phones have power point – you can programme your presentations and deliver them from the phone. They also have Excel, Word, Notes, as well as e-mail – all the office software products that you need on the PC or a laptop; you have them on your Anabel Smartphone. So, this tells us that is the future of the telecoms industry – Smartphones – and that was what we felt Africans needed to embrace because you find out that there is a lot of talk about bridging the digital divide in Africa, getting African people to understand and use information technology, but it is much more difficult to train somebody in the village who is barely literate, on how to use a computer. It is quite easy to train them on how to use a computerized phone because most of them are already using phones; they understand phones; they make both local and international calls; grandmas make and receive calls in every village right now. If I were to give grandma a Smartphone, it would be easier for me to train her on how to use it as opposed to training her to use a computer. So, I believe that the future is Smartphones and that is why we went into this business.
Windows Operating System as for AnabelMobile
Windows was chosen after a healthy debate and deep scrutiny of all the operating systems that are available to tier-one manufacturers and new manufacturers like us. We chose Windows because it is the best. That is one reason. Another is that it is the most compatible with PCs. So if you actually want your phone and your PC to be synchronized, Windows Mobile gives the best opportunity to do that because 95 percent of PCs in the world run on Windows operating system. If you want to give people an opportunity to synchronize seamlessly with their handheld devices such as Smartphones, Windows would be an ideal product to do that. Having said that, it is the best operating system; it has very interesting and unique applications which customers enjoy – the Outlook connects your e-mails seamlessly with your office, as well as connects your regular e-mails like Yahoomail and Gmail. It also allows you to do active Live Messenger from your phone. It is a very unique operating system which I think we made a good choice on, and it has Microsoft’s support. For us as new manufacturers, to use untested software system might be more of a challenge. So, that informed our choice of Windows operating system.
Cost of the Devices
There is a price range for the four models of AnabelMobile phones. We have an entry model and the more sophisticated model. The entry model would come out at a price point of about N39, 000; and a price point of about N59,000 for the more sophisticated model. Note that these are not written in stone, they might be adjusted in due course. But, we would try as much as possible to push these phones in an affordable way; we are coming at a very competitive price point. For low income earners, there is the Microfinance Bank. You spread the cost of that phone over 12 months and it comes out to less than N3,500 per month. Now most of the folks in the village who are doing business would need a computerized phone to enhance their operations because the phone is not just about making calls. It can do much more. So if somebody in the village needs to have a sophisticated work tool like this for N39,000, then the Microfinance Bank has an opportunity here and we are going to be meeting with them so that they can support these people in the village to have these kinds of tools.
Capturing Nigerian and African Market
In terms of market share, our focus mainly is the customer. We are going to be a disciplined company; we are going to listen to our customers; we are going to ask them what they want and we will endeavour to deliver on their request. Now, we are setting up a special network site called myanabel.com where citizens of the Anabel community – those who have bought our products and those who feel an affiliation with Anabel brand – can join that community and communicate to us what they think, how we can improve, what we can improve on because nobody has monopoly of ideas. Whatever the customers come up with, once it is consistent and spread across the globe, we will implement those ideas and give customers what they want. We believe that when you focus on the customers, the market share is yours for the taking. So, rather than focusing on the market share, we will focus on the customers, and what they would do is vote with their cash; they will vote with their demand and the rest becomes history. Our prospects depend solely on the customer, if the customer is unhappy with our products, then of course, we will move in a different direction. If otherwise, then our prospects are bright. It is all about what the customer wants; the prospects are tied clearly to that customer approach. We are not going to run our company like some others have done – they come up with ideas and force them down the customers’ throat. We want the customers to tell us what they want and then, we would implement them if they are worth it.
AnabelMobile Factories
We intend to actually have a factory in Nigeria in the next 3 – 4years but that would depend to a large extent on the power situation in the country. We are dealing with an international brand and we cannot be manufacturing at a loss when other international brands are doing that cost effectively. In that case, we need to make sure that the conditions for manufacturing these kinds of products are good and the power situation has been taken care of. I expect it should be taken care of in the next 3 – 4years, so we are planning in that direction.
Introducing Affordability Models
We do intend to service different segments of the market. The market segment that we are focused on now is the businesspersons, the professionals and the sophisticated students. Those aspects of the market that require phones that are little more affordable (if you will) – we would be providing phones for them. They may not necessarily be Smartphones but they would be good feature phones, and we would create features that everyone would be excited about. We have people in our research and development unit in the U.S working on such solutions as we speak, and when those solutions are ready, we will be very happy to announce to Nigerians that we have been able to crack coming up with a feature phone, with the best features in the world at the most affordable price. So, we are working on that but I cannot give you the details of that, but I can tell you that it is something that will make the Nigerian populace and customers very excited.
Meta Description: Tired of ad payment failures? Discover the most reliable virtual cards in Nigeria for running Facebook, Google, and TikTok ads without interruptions.
One of the biggest challenges digital marketers face in Nigeria today is finding a payment method that actually works for ad platforms.
Issues like frequent transaction failures, unexpected restrictions, and constantly changing bank policies can interrupt your campaigns at the worst possible time, making it hard to stay consistent.
That’s why many marketers are now turning to virtual cards, which offer a more stable, globally accepted way to handle online payments without the usual stress.
If you’re currently dealing with failed payments or need a more reliable way to run ads, this article will walk you through the most reliable virtual card options in Nigeria and help you choose what works best.
7 Best Virtual Cards You Can Use in Nigeria for Running Ads
Choosing the right virtual card for running ads in Nigeria isn’t just about availability; it’s about transaction success rate, global acceptance, funding speed, fees, and overall reliability.
To make things easier, the table below highlights how Cardtonic, Wallets Africa, CashBuddy, Snappypay, Pouchers, Bitmama, and Flip by Fluidcoins compare across key features that matter for running ads effectively.
| Platform | Best For | Price range | Supported Countries | Notable Features |
| Cardtonic | Reliable ad payments | $1.5-$5 (card creation) | Nigeria, Ghana (2+) | Easy card creation, quick funding, widely accepted |
| Wallets Africa | Basic virtual card use | $2-$5 (est.) | 10+ African countries | wallet + virtual card system |
| CashBuddy | Simple payments | $2.50 | Nigeria (primary) | straightforward card access, bill pay |
| Snappypay | Quick transactions | N/A | Nigeria & select regions | Fast setup, easy online spending |
| Pouchers | Flexible funding | $2 | Nigeria & limited global | Direct wallet to ads support |
| Bitmama | Crypto-based payments | Free issuance | Multiple countries (10+) | crypto funding + global spending |
| Flip by Fluidcoins | Fast crypto payments | $1.30 | Multiple Countries (10+) | Crypto payment focus |
1. Cardtonic:
Cardtonic is often regarded as one of the best virtual cards in Nigeria for running ads because it combines convenience, reliability, and ease of use in a way that suits both individuals and businesses.
When you’re paying for ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google, or TikTok, one of the biggest concerns is whether your payment method will work smoothly without constant declines or interruptions. That is where Cardtonic comes in, as it gives users access to a virtual dollar card designed for international payments, making it a practical choice for ad spending.
What makes the platform even more appealing is that it also offers contactless cards, which let you make payments quickly and securely without swiping or inserting the card. This feature adds an extra layer of convenience for users who want fast transactions, whether online or at supported payment terminals.
What truly makes Cardtonic stand out is how it brings together accessibility, smooth funding, and reliable international payment support in one place.
So, if you are looking for a reliable platform for ad payments, Cardtonic is one option that clearly deserves a spot on the list.
2. Wallet Africa:
Wallets Africa is meant for users who want more than just a card to pay for ads. It works better as an all-in-one financial platform, which makes it useful for business owners, freelancers, and marketers who like managing payments from one place.
Beyond offering virtual cards, the platform is built around sending money, spending online, and handling digital transactions across Africa, so it feels broader than a tool meant for one single purpose.
That broader structure is really where Wallets Africa plays its role. For someone running ads regularly, it can be convenient to have a platform that supports both wallet functions and card payments instead of jumping between different apps.
It is less about being flashy and more about giving users a practical setup for online spending, especially when you want your ad payments to sit within a wider money management system.
3. Cashbuddy:
CashBuddy feels more like a platform for users who value simplicity and speed. Its offering goes beyond virtual cards into other digital payment services, but the virtual card side is positioned around secure dollar and naira card access for global payments.
That makes it useful for advertisers who want something straightforward for campaign payments without dealing with too much complexity.
Where CashBuddy plays its role best is in accessibility. It fits users who may not need an advanced financial ecosystem but just want a platform that helps them get a working card and handle international payments with less stress.
So while some platforms lean into broader wallet features or multicurrency tools, CashBuddy feels more like the practical option for getting started and keeping things easy to manage.
4. Snappypay:
Snappypay has a slightly different appeal because it presents itself strongly around smooth online payments and virtual dollar cards that can be used across many platforms.
That makes it a natural fit for people who run ads often and do not want a card that feels limited to only one or two use cases. The platform also combines its virtual cards with other digital payment services, which adds to the convenience for users already handling several online expenses at once.
What makes Snappypay useful in this list is that it feels built for everyday digital spending. If Wallets Africa comes across as more ecosystem-driven and CashBuddy feels more basic and direct, Snappypay sits in the middle as the platform for users who want a smoother, more flexible payment experience for ads, subscriptions, and other online transactions without overcomplicating the process.
5. Pouchers:
Pouchers is one of the more ad-friendly options here because it explicitly positions its virtual dollar card for payments on platforms like Meta and for running ads.
That makes its role in this list much clearer. Instead of leaving users to guess whether the card may work for ad spend, the platform directly presents that use case as one of its strengths, which gives it more relevance for marketers and business owners.
Another thing that makes Pouchers different is its multicurrency and stablecoin angle, which gives it a more modern, borderless feel compared with platforms that are built mainly around local wallet operations.
So, for users whose work already involves international payments, online tools, and ad platforms, Pouchers plays its role as the flexible option that is shaped more around digital commerce than traditional payment habits.
6. Bitmama:
Bitmama plays a more specialized role because it is better known for combining crypto and borderless payments. That already sets it apart from the more conventional platforms on this list.
For advertisers or freelancers who are already comfortable moving money through digital assets, Bitmama can feel like a more flexible option, especially when international transactions are part of their normal workflow.
This makes it less of an everyday beginner platform and more of a fit for users who like operating in a more global, digital-first payment environment.
So while a platform like CashBuddy may appeal to someone looking for a simple starting point, Bitmama feels more suited to users who want ad payments to sit within a wider international or crypto-enabled setup. That difference gives it a distinct place on the list.
7. Flip By Fluidcoins:
Flip by Fluidcoins leans into the crypto-powered side of digital payments, positioning itself as a faster, more lightweight option for users who want flexibility with cross-border transactions.
Its strength is not in trying to cover everything, but in serving a more niche group of users who already understand digital finance and need a smoother way to handle international payments, especially for ad spending.
What sets it apart is its modern, alternative approach. It focuses less on traditional banking features and more on giving users fewer restrictions when moving funds globally.
For advertisers in that space, it works best as a flexible, niche solution rather than a full all-in-one financial platform.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Cards For Running Ads in Nigeria
- Which Virtual Card is Best For Running Ads in Nigeria?
The best dollar virtual card in Nigeria for running ads is Cardtonic. It’s widely trusted for its reliability, smooth international payments, and ease of use, making it a practical choice for managing ad spend without interruptions.
- Can I Use a Virtual Card to Pay for Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or TikTok Ads?
Yes, you can. Most virtual cards issued by platforms in Nigeria, like Cardtonic, Pouchers, or CashBuddy, are accepted on major advertising platforms, including Google, Facebook, and TikTok.
- How Do I Fund a Virtual Card for Advertising Campaigns in Nigeria?
Funding a virtual card is usually straightforward. Most platforms allow you to load funds from your local bank account, Naira wallet, or even crypto wallets in some cases. Simply log into your virtual card account, choose the funding method, enter the amount, and confirm. Once the funds reflect, you can start running ads immediately.
- Are Virtual Cards Secure For Paying International Ad Platforms?
Yes, virtual cards are designed to be secure. They often include features such as temporary card numbers, spend limits, and the ability to block or freeze the card instantly if needed.
- How Fast Can I Get a Virtual Card and Start Running Ads Online?
You can usually get a virtual card almost instantly after signing up and completing the KYC verification process. Platforms like Cardtonic or Snappypay issue cards immediately, so you can fund the card and start running ads within minutes.
Conclusion
Running ads on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, or Google from Nigeria can be challenging without a reliable payment method. That’s why virtual cards offer a convenient and secure solution, allowing you to fund your campaigns quickly and manage payments without interruptions.
Whether you’re looking to pay for TikTok ads, Google Ads, or other online campaigns, platforms like Wallets Africa, CashBuddy, Snappypay, Pouchers, Bitmama, and Flip by Fluidcoins all offer options to suit different needs.
For those who want a combination of reliability, ease of use, and smooth international payments, Cardtonic is highly recommended for managing your ad spending efficiently.
Adesola Akinsanya, President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association, has called on the media to lead a nationwide campaign for the urgent adoption of the .ng domain to strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity.
Adesola Akinsanya, President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA)
Akinsanya made the call during the .ng Media Advocacy and Capacity Building Initiative held on Thursday at the association’s secretariat in Lagos.
He said the media had a strategic role to play, not only in reporting developments but also in shaping national priorities and influencing public understanding of digital infrastructure.
“The media does not just report events; it sets the agenda. We need you to lead the campaign for the urgent adoption of .ng and help Nigerians understand why it matters,” he said.
Akinsanya emphasised that Nigeria’s digital identity must be deliberately constructed and protected, noting that domain names remain a critical component of national presence in the global digital ecosystem.
According to him, many Nigerian businesses and institutions continue to operate on foreign domains such as .com and .org, thereby placing their digital assets outside the country’s jurisdiction.
“Thousands of Nigerian organisations are effectively operating on rented digital land, where control, security, and governance are subject to foreign regulations,” he said.
He explained that the .ng domain, managed by NiRA under the global coordination of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, represents an important layer of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
He described domain names as digital real estate that determine visibility, credibility, and economic value creation within the digital economy.
The NiRA president warned that reliance on foreign domains contributes to a trust deficit, economic leakage, and increased security vulnerabilities.
“In an era where users are increasingly concerned about authenticity, locally identifiable domains provide stronger assurance and alignment with national systems,” he said.
Akinsanya added that while technological improvements such as DNS Security Extensions are strengthening the .ng ecosystem, widespread adoption remains essential.
He noted that the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between technical complexity and public understanding, particularly in areas such as internet governance, cybersecurity, and domain infrastructure.
According to him, Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy will depend on the alignment of infrastructure, adoption, and narrative.
He reaffirmed NiRA’s commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure and promoting the use of the .ng domain, while calling for sustained collaboration with the media.
“The story of Nigeria’s internet is still being written. Whether it reflects dependence or sovereignty will depend on the narratives we promote,” he said.
Nigeria has unveiled Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) on its .ng domain, marking a major step toward strengthening national cybersecurity and enhancing trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.
L–R: Mr. Ahmad Mukoshy, Director, Nigeria Internet Registration Association Executive Board; Mrs. Seyi Onasanya, Chief Operating Officer, NiRA; Ogbuefi (Remmy Nweke), Member, NiRA Board of Trustees; Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, President, NiRA; Dr. Adebiyi Oladipo, Member, NiRA Board of Trustees; and Mr. Habeeb Wahab, Head, Technical Services, NiRA during the unveiling of .ng signing of DNSSEC.
The deployment was carried out by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association, the body responsible for managing Nigeria’s country code top-level domain.
The development places Nigeria among countries adopting advanced technologies to secure their internet infrastructure and support a resilient digital economy.
DNSSEC is an internet security protocol designed to protect users from cyber threats such as redirection to fraudulent websites, by adding cryptographic verification to the domain name system.
Speaking at the unveiling, the President of NiRA, Adesola Akinsanya, described the deployment as a defining moment for Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.
“The successful deployment of DNSSEC on the .ng domain represents a major milestone. As more services move online, it is critical to ensure a secure and trusted digital environment for citizens, businesses, and government,” he said.
Akinsanya added that the initiative aligns with global best practices and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to building a secure and competitive digital economy.
He noted that strengthening trust in the .ng domain would create an enabling environment for innovation, investment, and growth in digital services.
According to him, a secure domain name system is fundamental to the development of the digital economy.
The NiRA president also urged organisations, particularly those operating critical services, to adopt DNSSEC as part of their cybersecurity frameworks.
The initiative is expected to benefit sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, e-commerce, and government platforms by offering enhanced protection against cyber threats including phishing and data interception.
Institutions regulated by bodies such as the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Communications Commission are among those expected to gain from the improved security framework.
The deployment also aligns with Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda supported by agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Chief Operating Officer of NiRA said the .ng domain had been fully signed and was currently in a monitoring phase to ensure stability and optimal performance.
He added that a phased rollout would allow accredited registrars and domain owners to adopt DNSSEC protection for their individual domains.
“This deployment is the result of extensive planning and collaboration. Our focus now is to ensure seamless adoption across the ecosystem,” he said.
NiRA called on businesses and organisations to leverage the new capability and embrace the .ng domain as a secure and trusted digital identity.
The association said it would continue to work with stakeholders to drive awareness, build capacity, and accelerate adoption nationwide.
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