FirstBank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and United Bank for Africa (UBA) have introduced Google Pay for eligible customers, expanding digital payment options in Nigeria following the launch of the global payment service in the country.
The development allows qualifying cardholders to link their bank cards to Google Wallet and use Google Pay to make payments at supported online checkout platforms and contactless payment terminals, both within Nigeria and internationally.
The integration is expected to make everyday transactions more convenient by reducing the need for customers to carry physical cards or repeatedly enter their card details when making online purchases.
FIRSTBANK EXPANDS DIGITAL PAYMENT SERVICES
FirstBank Nigeria Limited confirmed that eligible cardholders can now use Google Pay to make contactless payments with compatible devices at supported payment terminals.
The bank said the service combines convenience with security features designed to provide a smoother payment experience for customers.
Abednego Ugwueke, FirstBank’s Group Head of e-Business and Retail Products, said the bank was continuing to improve its digital services to meet customers’ changing needs.
He explained that the integration would give eligible customers access to a convenient payment option that is accepted wherever Google Pay is supported.
The development adds to FirstBank’s existing digital banking services and reflects the financial institution’s continued investment in technology-driven solutions.
UBA ENABLES GOOGLE PAY FOR ELIGIBLE CARDHOLDERS
United Bank for Africa has also activated Google Pay for eligible Visa and Mastercard users, allowing them to make contactless payments without presenting their physical cards.
Orry Seem, UBA’s Directorate Head of Cards, said the introduction would make transactions easier for customers who increasingly depend on their mobile phones for everyday activities.
He noted that enabling customers to use their phones as digital wallets was a practical response to changing payment habits.
UBA’s Group Head of Brands, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the service would provide customers with another fast and convenient way to pay while benefiting from the security features associated with their bank cards.
The bank expects the additional payment option to improve the customer experience as digital transactions continue to grow in Nigeria.
GTBANK EXTENDS GOOGLE PAY TO BUSINESSES
Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), the parent company of GTBank, has introduced Google Pay across two of its subsidiaries, extending the service to both consumers and businesses.
GTBank customers with eligible debit cards can add their cards to Google Wallet and use Google Pay for supported online transactions, including subscriptions, travel bookings, food delivery and bill payments.
The integration also extends to businesses using Squad, the payment gateway operated by GTCO’s payments subsidiary, HabariPay. Merchants can offer Google Pay as an additional payment option at online checkout.
GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje, said the initiative was designed to address the challenges that cause customers to abandon online purchases before completing payment.
He explained that businesses could lose potential sales when customers encounter unnecessary difficulties during checkout.
According to Agbaje, the group’s approach ensures that GTBank customers can use Google Pay to make payments while businesses on Squad can accept payments through the same service.
HabariPay Managing Director, Eduofon Japhet, said the integration would simplify the checkout process for merchants and their customers.
She explained that customers could pay using cards already saved in Google Wallet, reducing the number of steps required to complete a transaction.
Businesses configured to accept international payments can also receive Google Pay transactions from customers abroad without requiring an additional integration.
WHAT GOOGLE PAY MEANS FOR NIGERIAN CUSTOMERS
The adoption of Google Pay by the three banks represents another development in Nigeria’s expanding digital payments market.
For eligible customers, the service offers an alternative to conventional card payments by allowing supported transactions through compatible devices.
Customers can save eligible cards in Google Wallet and select Google Pay when paying at participating online platforms or supported contactless terminals.
Google Pay also uses digital tokenisation to help protect actual card details during transactions. Instead of sharing the physical card number with merchants, the system uses a digital representation of the card.
However, access depends on card eligibility, device compatibility and whether the merchant or payment terminal supports Google Pay. The launch does not mean that every Nigerian business or payment terminal can accept the service.
For businesses, the integration could help simplify online checkout and provide customers with another way to complete purchases. Its eventual effect on transaction volumes and abandoned purchases will depend on adoption by consumers and merchants.
With FirstBank, GTBank and UBA now offering the service to eligible cardholders, customers have additional options for making digital payments as Nigerian banks continue to expand their technology-based financial services.
