Nigeria Signs Up MasterCard For A Evolutionary Dual Purpose ID And Payment Card

In a move that is set to change the way business and payments are made in Nigeria, MasterCard has been signed up by the Nigerian government to launch an Identity and electronic payment system under the recently
deployed National Identity Management System (NIMS).

The dual purpose cards are designed to create a cashless society where users will be encouraged to pay using their identity card. The pilot scheme will target 13 million potential users from 16 years and above in the first phase of the programme.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Minister of Finance) who witnessed the launch of this exciting program stressed the importance of the national identity smart card scheme in moving Nigeria to an electronic platform and fighting the war on corruption.

This scheme can have a major impact on people who do not have easy access to cash and really change the lives of everyday Nigerians...