In a move aimed at strengthening the digital ecosystem in Nigeria, Google has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Verve, the largest domestic card scheme in Africa.
The collaboration allows Nigerians to utilize their Verve naira cards for convenient digital transactions on the Google Play Store, the tech giant’s application distribution service.
In a statement released on Thursday, Google highlighted that the partnership with Verve will facilitate in-country processing of transactions. This means that all Verve transactions will now be conducted in Nigerian naira (NG) and treated as local transactions by the country’s banking institutions.
This milestone development paves the way for any Nigerian with an Android device and a Verve card to enjoy a seamless method of making purchases on the Google Play Store.
Anthea Crawford, the head of retail and payment partnerships at Google Play, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing that the primary goal is to encourage easy access to the app. Crawford asserted that the new partnership not only simplifies the payment process for Google Play Store apps and services but also contributes significantly to fostering a more inclusive digital environment for Nigerians.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Verve, expanding Google Play access for more Nigerians,” said Crawford. “The introduction of local payments with Verve cards is a significant milestone, enabling more Nigerians to participate in the app economy and access the apps they need.”
Vincent Ogbunude, the managing director of Verve International, also expressed excitement about the integration with Google Play, stating that it represents a significant stride towards achieving Verve’s vision of promoting financial inclusion.
Ogbunude highlighted that bringing digital content and services closer to Verve cardholders effectively bridges the digital divide in the country. Being one of Nigeria’s foremost payment card schemes, Verve’s expanding acceptance promotes inclusion by extending the reach of digital services to a larger segment of the Nigerian population.
“With this exciting possibility, users can now add their Verve cards to their Google Play account and pay in naira, without stress,” Ogbunude added.
This development comes as great news for the Nigerian population, which has been increasingly embracing digital technologies for various aspects of life, including banking, commerce, and entertainment. With the integration of Verve naira cards on the Play Store, the convenience and accessibility of digital services are expected to witness a significant boost.
Additionally, this partnership is likely to spur the growth of the app economy in Nigeria, allowing more developers and businesses to reach and cater to a broader audience.
As Google and Verve work hand in hand to empower Nigerians with seamless digital transactions, the impact of this collaboration is anticipated to resonate positively across the West African nation, promoting financial inclusion, and fostering a more digitally connected society.
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