EBANX becomes the first global payments company to go live with OPay Direct Debit, a new solution for recurring transactions within the digital wallet of OPay, the leading digital bank in Nigeria. By offering this payment option at checkout through EBANX, global subscription businesses can now reach OPay’s 40 million monthly active users, representing one in three adults in the country.
“With one of the continent’s highest mobile penetration rates and a young, fast-growing population, Nigeria is expected to remain Africa’s largest and most strategic digital market over the next decade,” said Eduardo de Abreu, Chief Product Officer (CPO) of EBANX. “Being the first global payments company to go live with recurring payments through OPay is a testament to the access EBANX has built in emerging markets.”
Nigeria is Africa’s largest e-commerce market, valued at USD 30 billion, according to World Data Lab (WDL) data analyzed by EBANX, and is expected to grow further, with the country projected to add 32 million new consumers to the consumer class by 2036.
In Nigeria, credit card ownership stands at just 5% among adults, while mobile phone penetration reaches 84%, according to the World Bank. “This difference creates a significant opportunity for global merchants to expand recurring payment coverage beyond traditional card-on-file models,” stated Abreu.
According to WDL, 95% of all online spend in Nigeria already comes from consumers without a credit card, a share expected to remain nearly unchanged for the next 10 years.
Digital wallets and bank transfers are Nigerians’ preferred way to pay, together accounting for 65% of the country’s e-commerce volume, according to Payment and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data analyzed by EBANX.
OPay lets Nigerian consumers make purchases through its digital wallet and bank transfers, as well as set up recurring payments. For these transactions, users make a one-time authorization directly in the app, enabling global merchants to collect future subscription charges without requiring customers to be present or re-enter payment details for every transaction.
“Our partnership with EBANX isn’t just processing transactions; it’s shaping the future of digital payments across the region,” said Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer, OPay. “This will give Nigerians an easy, fast and convenient way to pay for the global digital services they love, from streaming platforms to online tools. WithOPay Direct Debit, customers can enjoy a simple payment experience while staying in control of their subscriptions,” added Wang.
