Sparkle, a digital ecosystem providing financial, lifestyle and business support services to Nigerians across the globe, has today announced a new collaboration with Visa. The partnership will enable Sparkle to provide issuance of Visa cards to its users, benefiting consumers, entrepreneurs and SMEs across Nigeria.
Under the strategic collaboration with Visa, Sparkle customers will have greater freedom and flexibility in how they make payments. For instance, Sparkle customers will be able to make in-app payments with the embedded Visa virtual card. Sparkle app users will also be able to make eCom / mCom payments with their Visa virtual card and with Visa-branded companion plastic cards attached to their Sparkle profile.
For Sparkle, which was founded by entrepreneur, tech pioneer and financial inclusion advocate, Uzoma Dozie, and whose mission is to help Nigerians fulfil their financial and lifestyle needs, the partnership is a major milestone. The partnership with Visa also highlights Sparkle’s commitment to enabling best-in-class global solutions for its digital-only proposition.
The partnership also means that Sparkle customers will benefit from a range of other digital payments initiatives from Visa, for example, by scanning the interoperable EMVCo Quick Response (QR) code or just entering an Alias such as phone number or merchant till number to pay for goods at merchant outlets. Sparkle customers can receive cross-border remittances from family and friends who are Visa cardholders into their Sparkle Account.
Uzoma Dozie, Founder and Chief Sparkler, commented: “Our partnership with Visa will bring a wide range of benefits to Sparkle’s customers, individuals, entrepreneurs and SMEs. We are excited to work with Visa as we strive to re-define e-commerce by removing barriers to business using technology and data. Working with a global partner like Visa allows us to deliver a bespoke and personalized service for our customers by tapping into large networks so they can fulfil their full potential.”
“The rapid pace of technology innovation has driven a powerful shift in business and consumer expectations in finance,” said Otto Williams, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Fintech and Ventures, CEMEA at Visa. “Whether it is changing the way people invest, manage money, receive loans, or send real-time payments to friends and family, Visa is a natural partner for fintechs including Sparkle, providing them with new ways to reach their customers through Visa’s vast network and global scale.”
