By Abigail Mbah
Google Wallet has officially launched in Nigeria, giving Android users access to contactless payments and digital payment services, although its initial rollout is limited to selected Mastercard and Visa products from four banks.
The service, which went live on October 28, 2026, currently supports eligible cards issued by FirstBank, GTBank, UBA and Zenith Bank.
At launch, FirstBank customers can add Mastercard debit cards, while GTBank supports Mastercard debit and prepaid cards. Zenith Bank offers support for Mastercard credit, debit and prepaid cards. UBA customers can use Mastercard credit, debit and prepaid cards, as well as Visa prepaid cards.
However, most Visa cards and all Verve cards remain unsupported. Cards issued by other banks and fintech operators, including Access Bank, OPay, Moniepoint, Kuda and PalmPay, are also excluded from the initial rollout.
To use the service, customers need an Android device running version 9 or later with Near Field Communication (NFC) capability, or a compatible Wear OS device, alongside the Google Wallet application.
Once an eligible card is added, users can make payments by tapping their devices on compatible contactless Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals. They can also use Google Pay to complete online and in-app transactions where the payment option is supported.
Despite the launch, limited availability of contactless POS terminals across Nigerian retail outlets could slow the adoption of physical tap-to-pay transactions. Online payments and in-app purchases, however, may offer a more immediate opportunity for adoption.
Beyond payments, Google Wallet allows users to store digital boarding passes, event tickets and loyalty cards in one application, providing a centralised platform for managing essential digital credentials.
Google said the service incorporates security features, including encryption of payment information, while users can remotely lock or erase a lost device through Find My Device.
The company is expected to expand bank and card support in the coming months. Until then, Nigerian customers will need to confirm that their specific cards are eligible before attempting to add them to Google Wallet.