Telecom
Digital Payments Fuel Growth for Nigerian SMEs: Mastercard Report Highlights Trends
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria are leveraging digital payments, innovation, and partnerships to expand their reach and strengthen business operations, according to the third edition of the Mastercard SME Confidence Index.
With 99% of SMEs in Nigeria now accepting digital payments, businesses are capitalizing on cashless transactions to enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and build financial resilience. This digital shift is enabling SMEs to grow in an evolving business environment, with many prioritizing secure payment solutions and financial inclusion initiatives.
“Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of economies, driving innovation, employment, and resilience. As digital transformation accelerates, SMEs are unlocking new opportunities through digital payments and financial inclusion.
“Their ability to adapt and grow in a rapidly evolving business landscape reflects the strength of an ecosystem that prioritizes access to finance, digital enablement, and sustainable growth,” said Dimitrios Dosis, president Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard.
“Nigerian SMEs are demonstrating remarkable adaptability and foresight by leveraging digital payment solutions to drive economic transformation. Their positive revenue outlook highlights a commitment to harnessing technology for sustainable growth. At Mastercard, we are dedicated to empowering these businesses with innovative digital tools, fostering strategic partnerships, and supporting their journey toward greater financial inclusion and security,” said Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, Mastercard.
Digital payments at the core of SME expansion
As Nigeria’s economy embraces digitalization, SMEs are recognizing the advantages of cashless transactions in driving business efficiency. Many business owners highlight ease of managing payments, seamless supplier transactions, and reduced reliance on cash handling as key benefits. Looking ahead, SMEs are focused on expanding their digital payment capabilities and ensuring seamless customer experiences to sustain their competitive edge.
Looking ahead, 73% of SMEs plan to further expand their digital payment capabilities across various channels, and 70% are focused on providing seamless, user-friendly payment experiences to customers to drive business improvement.
SMEs focus on growth, cybersecurity, and financial access
While most SMEs anticipate maintaining or increasing their revenue, they acknowledge cybersecurity, inflation, and financial access as key areas influencing business growth. Strengthening digital security measures is a growing priority as businesses increase their reliance on online transactions.
Many SMEs also emphasize the need for broader financial access, with business owners identifying private sector partnerships, government-led initiatives, and international collaborations as key enablers for long-term success.
This highlights the growing role of collaboration in driving SME resilience and supporting businesses as they navigate an evolving financial landscape.
Access to credit remains a priority for over three-quarters of SMEs, with 47% aiming to secure financing to grow their businesses and 27% seeking capital to maintain daily operations.
Optimism amid challenges
While SMEs face challenges such as inflation (77%) and rising costs of goods and services (75%), a significant 78% expect to achieve the same or higher revenue this year compared to last, signaling resilience and adaptability.
SMEs identify private sector initiatives or partnerships (56%), government-led initiatives (47%), and international collaborations (41%) as key factors that will positively impact their operations this year.
Through strategic collaborations, Mastercard aims to support Nigerian SMEs in achieving their growth objectives. For instance, in July 2023, Mastercard partnered with Alerzo, a leading Nigerian B2B e-commerce company, to digitize SMEs in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, making digital payments more accessible and efficient.
Recognizing the growing market need, Mastercard’s Product Express is helping Nigerian fintech launch card programs quickly and easily, enabling them to reduce their time to market and service customers more efficiently.
Furthermore, Mastercard’s award-winning startup engagement program, Start Path is providing fintech like Duplo and Mono with operational support, commercial engagement, and the opportunity for strategic investment.
Mastercard remains committed to supporting SMEs in Nigeria by leveraging its extensive network, cutting-edge technology, and strategic collaborations. By introducing contactless payment solutions like Tap on Phone, QR Pay by Link, and Payment Link, and collaborating with governments, financial institutions, and private sector partners, Mastercard is driving financial inclusion and digital transformation, and supporting small businesses as they navigate evolving commercial landscapes.
Airtel Africa reported a profit after tax of $376 million for the half year ended September 30, 2025 as compared to $79 million in the corresponding period last fiscal, benefitting from a $90 million gain largely arising from Nigerian naira appreciation during the current quarter (Q2’26) and the Central African franc (CFA) appreciation during the previous quarter (Q1’26).
Revenues at $2,982 million for the reported period saw strong growth as compared to $2,370 million in the six months of the last fiscal, rising 24.5% in constant currency and 25.8% in reported currency.
The company said constant currency revenue growth reflects the consistent execution of its strategy, supported by tariff adjustments in Nigeria and continued strong growth momentum in Francophone Africa.
“Our strategy has been focussed on providing a superior customer experience and the strength of these results is testament to the initiatives that we have been implementing across the business,” Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer of the company said in a statement.
He said the company has been scaling the network to build additional capacity to facilitate the rise in both digital and financial inclusion.
“The increase in smartphone penetration to 46.8% reflects the substantial demand for data services across our markets but also highlights the scale of the opportunity to further develop the digital economy,” Taldar said.
Capex for the period stood at $318 million. “We have increased our capex guidance for FY’26 to between $875m and $900m – from ‘between $725 million and $750 million’.
This reflects our decision to accelerate our ability to capitalise on the significant growth opportunity that is available across the region, as is reflected by these strong H1’26 results,” the company said.
During the period, the company continued investments in network with the rollout of over 2,350 new sites to over 38,300 sites and an expansion of its fibre network by approx. 4,000 kms to over 81,000 kms.
Vitel Wireless Limited, a GSM second level operator, licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to begin nationwide operations on October 30.
Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless
Themed “Blue is Here,” the launch event will unveil E-SIMs, physical SIMs, and smart connectivity solutions for individuals and businesses
With the tagline “Everything Connected,” Vitel aims to redefine communication in Nigeria through innovation, speed, and trust.
In a statement earlier, Vitel Wireless, said it combines reliability with innovation, leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver seamless connectivity and intelligent solutions across the country.
“The company’s services go beyond communication — they integrate safety, mobility, and smart systems to enhance how individuals, businesses, and communities connect,” the statement reads.
According to Engr Kenneth Nwabueze, executive chairman, Vitel Wireless, at the heart of the telco’s mission is a bold vision to redefine mobile communication through technology that not only connects people but also protects them.
He highlighted the features saying the device is embedded with IoT-driven devices, smart logistics solutions and AI-powered safety analytics.
“Vitel Wireless is more than a telecom brand — it’s a movement toward a smarter, safer, and more connected Nigeria. Our goal is to bridge technology and humanity, using mobile innovation to improve lives, empower businesses, and strengthen national security,” Engr. Nwabueze said.
He stated that the Vitel Wireless team has interconnected with all major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, and has a roaming agreement with MTN for nationwide rollout, extending Vitel Wireless coverage as one of the largest networks in Nigeria.
“Vitel Wireless has partnered with NCC and various law enforcement agencies to define and support key regulatory frameworks that now govern the nation’s telecom space in personal and public safety,” he said.
He added that the value added service includes Xphone -free phone calls and low international calling rates, SecureMe -location awareness solution for personal safety, Oga-App -employment enhancement and performance tool, ISEEYOU -AI-based CCTV with real-time alerts, AssetNow -LBS/GPS-based asset tracker, and many more.
“Vitel Wireless’s nationwide rollout signals a new era for the telecom industry — one where connectivity meets intelligence, and technology serves both purpose and people,” Nwabueze added.
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, in collaboration with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) through the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, has announced the shortlist of 100 young Nigerian innovators for the second phase of the 2025 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge.
The initiative, launched in 2024, is aimed at fostering home-grown solutions to Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, community conservation, and sustainability.
According to a joint statement by the organisers, the top 100 were selected from a pool of 2,169 applications received nationwide. The selection process involved a rigorous multi-stage evaluation conducted by 20 expert assessors, guided by a robust framework to ensure fairness and consistency.
“The shortlisted innovators represent the brightest minds committed to environmental resilience,” the statement read. “Their solutions span high-impact sectors and are designed to address both national and continental environmental issues.”
The PachiPanda programme offers participants access to mentorship, technical workshops, seed funding, and a network of industry experts. The next phase will see a further evaluation to determine the Top 10 finalists, who will be unveiled ahead of a three-day sprint pitch and masterclass event scheduled for November 2025 in Lagos.
During the event, finalists will undergo intensive training to refine their business strategies and enhance their solutions for broader impact. Winners of the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge will advance to the continental Africa PachiPanda Contest, where they will compete with other national champions.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the programme underscores MTN Nigeria’s commitment to eco-entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, empowering youth-led enterprises to drive green innovation across Africa.
PalmPay Supports Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Walk
Research ICT Africa Develops AI Framework for Africa
BlueNoroff Targets Eecutives on Windows and MacOS Using AI-driven Tools
The Alternative Bank, Utiva Partner on Scholarships to Boost Digital Skills for Women
Moniepoint Unveils Nigeria’s First Informal Economy AI Chatbot, As FG Lauds Fintech Giant for Powering Business Growth Across the Country
Telecom2 days agoUNICEF, GSMA Unite with Partners to Launch Africa Taskforce on Child Online Protection to Safeguard Children in the Digital Age
Broadcasting2 days agoNCC Calls for Professional Guidelines on Software Use, Support for Copyright Enforcement
E-Business2 days agoNOTAP to Crackdown on Unregistered Technologies in Nigeria
General News2 days agoFG to Train One Million Youths under TVET for Entrepreneurship, National Development
Broadcasting2 days agoMultiChoice to Delist from JSE after Canal+ Takeover
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Puts Nigeria’s Cryptocurrency Transactions in One Year @ Over $50Bn
E-Financial2 days agoPolaris Bank restates support for SMEs, commissions EveryDay Supermarket in Yenagoa
E-Financial1 day agoLotus Bank Drags 45 Banks to Court over Alleged ₦1.1Bn Fraudulent Withdrawals