CHECKERS CUSTARD: A HOUSEHOLD FAVORITE AND 2025 CONSUMER VALUE AWARD WINNER

L-R: Paul Ohakim, Vice President, Issuing & Acquiring Management (Africa), Verve International; Chidi Oluaoha, Divisional Head, Growth Marketing (Token & Inclusio) Marketing & Corporate Communications; Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Verve International; Grace Adeniyi, Divisional Head, Governance & Regional Operations, Interswitch; and Ademola Adeniran, Divisional Head, Products Management & Solutions Delivery, Interswitch, at the Verve 100m Cards Issuance Press Briefing held at the Interswitch Head Office, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Africa’s leading homegrown payment card brand, Verve, has hit a historic milestone as it officially crossed the 100 million cards mark, reinforcing its dominance in the continent’s digital payments space.

The landmark achievement was announced by Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Verve International, at a media event in Lagos, where industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the brand’s remarkable journey.

City People gathered that the Verve story, which began over 15 years ago as Africa’s first domestic card scheme, has now evolved into a trusted payments powerhouse with acceptance across Kenya, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, The Gambia, Senegal, and several other African markets.

Ogbunude described the milestone as more than a number but a reflection of the brand’s credibility and impact.

According to him:

“One hundred million cards is more than a statistic. It represents the confidence of our customers, the commitment of our partners, and the trust of millions of Africans. Every transaction tells a story – traders receiving payments quickly, students paying fees seamlessly, shoppers transacting securely, and entrepreneurs powering their businesses.”

The celebration also provided a platform for Verve to unveil two new major partnerships aimed at enriching user experience and empowering African creatives and consumers.

First is Verve’s collaboration with Adobe, giving cardholders access to premium creative tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro at competitive rates—an initiative expected to boost Africa’s rapidly expanding creator economy.

Next is Verve’s partnership with Glovo, one of Africa’s fastest-growing on-demand delivery platforms. Through the partnership, Verve users will enjoy exclusive discounts, added rewards, and an even smoother checkout experience, enhancing convenience and lifestyle integration.

Speaking further, Ogbunude emphasised that the 100 million card mark is not a finish line but the beginning of Verve’s next chapter.

He noted that strategic collaborations remain central to Verve’s growth blueprint, enabling the brand to stay competitive, future-ready, and closely aligned with users’ lifestyle needs.

He expressed appreciation to issuing banks, ecosystem partners, merchants, the media, and the millions of Verve users across Africa whose trust has shaped the brand’s success.

As Verve pushes forward, the company says it is doubling down on innovation, expanding its acceptance footprint, and deepening financial inclusion across the continent. With a renewed focus on secure, seamless, and accessible payment solutions, Verve is poised to shape the future of digital transactions in Africa.