Three major commercial banks in Nigeria, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Wema Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), have announced the resumption of international transactions on their naira debit cards.
The move marks a significant development in the banking sector, coming nearly three years after most banks suspended dollar transactions on naira cards due to foreign exchange constraints.
In separate messages to customers, the banks confirmed that holders of naira cards can now make payments on international platforms.
UBA, in a notice to its customers, said the resumption is part of its ongoing commitment to delivering a seamless and enhanced banking experience. “If you haven’t used your card recently, now’s a great time to rediscover the convenience and prestige that comes with being a UBA premium cardholder,” the bank stated.
Wema Bank also shared the update with its customers, announcing that its naira Mastercard can now be used to “pay in dollars” on global platforms such as Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube. “Your Wema Naira Mastercard just went global,” the bank declared.
GTBank, in its own announcement, placed a limit on international spending, informing customers that they can now spend up to $1,000 every quarter using their naira card. “We are pleased to inform you that you now have a quarterly limit of $1,000 on your GTBank Naira Card to pay for all your favourite things anywhere in the world,” the email read.
The resumption of this service is expected to offer relief to many Nigerians who rely on international platforms for shopping, subscriptions, and digital services.
