Nomba launches Apple Pay for Nigerian merchants, enabling contactless payments

Nomba, a Series B Nigerian fintech company, has announced the integration of Apple Pay across its platform, positioning itself as the first payments company to enable the service for both in-store and online transactions for Nigerian businesses.

The integration allows merchants using the startup’s infrastructure to accept contactless payments from customers’ iPhones without requiring physical cards, PINs, or bank transfers. The move addresses both operational efficiency at checkout and longstanding challenges Nigerian businesses face when accepting international payments.

For physical retail locations, the Apple Pay implementation introduces a streamlined checkout process. Customers open their camera app, scan the merchant’s payment prompt, and authenticate transactions using Face ID. Merchants receive instant confirmation either directly on their Nomba point-of-sale terminals or through real-time notifications in the Nomba mobile app.

The technology reduces checkout times and queue lengths, particularly during high-traffic periods. Alex Oke, founder of XO Bakery, a Lagos-based merchant using Nomba, highlighted the practical impact during peak business periods. “Detty December is one of our busiest times of the year,” Oke said. “Apple Pay on Nomba helps us move faster, reduce queues, and serve customers who are already used to contactless payments.”

Detty December refers to the influx of diaspora Nigerians and tourists during the holiday season, creating increased demand for businesses across major Nigerian cities.

Beyond physical stores, the Apple Pay integration significantly enhances Nomba’s online payment capabilities. Web merchants can now process transactions from customers globally without requiring manual entry of card details or completion of bank transfers. The simplified checkout process aims to reduce transaction abandonment rates and improve conversion for Nigerian businesses serving international customers, digital services, and diaspora markets.

The announcement also sheds light on operational challenges facing Nigerian payment companies when processing international card transactions. While merchants work directly with payment platforms like Nomba, transactions are ultimately processed by upstream international payment processors. According to Nomba, these processors sometimes delay settlements, apply unfavourable foreign exchange rates, or hold funds longer than expected, creating cash flow uncertainty.

“Our merchants should never feel the complexity or risk of global payment processing,” the company stated. “Even when settlements from upstream processors are delayed, we ensure merchants are paid on time using our own funds.”

This approach to merchant protection requires the company to maintain sufficient capital reserves to front payments when upstream settlement delays occur, allowing businesses to maintain stable cash flow during high-volume periods.

Pelumi Aboluwarin, Nomba‘s chief technology officer, framed the launch within broader global payment trends. “Payments globally are moving toward speed, security, and invisible checkout,” Aboluwarin said. “Our responsibility is to ensure Nigerian merchants are not left behind, but are fully prepared for the future of payments.”

The company has positioned itself as a leader in enabling Nigerian businesses to collect international payments. The Apple Pay integration expands its payment stack, offering merchants a more comprehensive suite of payment acceptance options compared to traditional card-only or bank transfer-based systems.

The technology addresses multiple friction points in Nigeria’s payment ecosystem. For in-store transactions, it eliminates the need for customers to carry physical cards or remember PINs. For online merchants, it removes barriers that often cause international customers to abandon purchases, such as complex form-filling requirements or unfamiliar payment methods.

Nomba’s infrastructure now supports contactless payments across both physical and digital channels, representing what the company describes as future-ready payment infrastructure for Nigerian commerce. The integration arrives as contactless payment adoption continues expanding globally, with mobile wallet solutions increasingly preferred over traditional card-based transactions.

With Apple Pay now available across its platform, Nomba is positioning Nigerian merchants to compete more effectively in both domestic and international markets, particularly as customer expectations shift toward faster, more seamless payment experiences.

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