Mastercard, in partnership with Interswitch, has announced the launch of Google Pay for eligible Mastercard cardholders in Nigeria, enabling consumers to make secure, convenient and contactless payments using Android devices.
The launch represents another milestone in Nigeria’s expanding digital payments ecosystem, giving consumers additional payment options while introducing tokenised mobile payments into everyday transactions. Through Mastercard’s tokenisation technology, sensitive card information is replaced with a unique digital credential, helping protect payment details and enhance transaction security.
Google Pay allows eligible users to add a supported Mastercard to their digital wallet and make payments by tapping their Android phones at contactless-enabled payment terminals. The service is designed to simplify everyday transactions while reducing reliance on physical payment cards.
Kari Tukur, Country Manager for West Africa at Mastercard, said the collaboration combines the convenience of mobile payments with the security of Mastercard’s tokenisation technology. She highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding access to innovative, secure and trusted digital payment experiences across Nigeria.
Olumide Balagon, Country Director for Google West Africa, welcomed the launch, describing Nigeria as a market at the forefront of financial innovation in Africa. He noted that Google Wallet would make everyday transactions faster and safer while reducing the need for consumers to carry physical cards.
Interswitch played a key role in supporting the rollout by working with Mastercard to connect multiple issuing banks to the tokenisation and payment processing infrastructure required to offer Google Pay to eligible customers. Akeem Lawal, MD Payment, Switching and Processing at Interswitch, said the company’s infrastructure and issuer connectivity capabilities had helped establish the foundation for wallet-based and tap-to-pay transactions in Nigeria.
The introduction comes amid significant growth in the country’s digital payments sector. Data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) shows that digital payment transaction volumes reached 11.2 billion in 2026, while transaction values exceeded ₦1.07 quadrillion, highlighting the increasing adoption of electronic payments across consumer and business activities.
For issuing banks, the service creates additional opportunities to strengthen digital engagement with customers and expand mobile-first payment options. Merchants with contactless-enabled terminals can also benefit from faster transactions and greater convenience for customers using Android devices.
The partnership between Mastercard, Google and Interswitch, alongside participating financial institutions, reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital payments infrastructure and broaden access to secure, convenient payment technologies.
