In a significant move to bolster Nigeria's distribution sector, fintech company OmniPay has unveiled a suite of new payment and trade support tools while celebrating its partner distributors at a landmark event in Lagos. The first-ever OmniPay Distributors' Gala Night and Awards 2025, held under the theme "Together We Grow," served as both a recognition ceremony and a platform for announcing strategic innovations aimed at alleviating mounting pressure on supply chains.
Recognising Resilience in a Tough Economy
The event, which took place in Ikeja, Lagos, brought together distributors, partners, and OmniPay executives. In his address, OmniPay's Business Head and Head of Finance, Vachan Lohia, emphasized that the gala was more than a celebration; it was an acknowledgment of the distributors' daily resilience. He highlighted the severe challenges facing distributors, including currency volatility, rising prices of consumer goods, and dependency on imported raw materials.
Lohia restated that OmniPay was specifically designed to help distributors navigate these hurdles by merging their working capital with structured financial support. The platform facilitates seamless payments to manufacturers, simplifies reconciliation, and provides access to multiple virtual accounts. This allows distributors to receive payments from customers across different banks without delays, significantly improving cash flow confirmation times critical for operations.
Introducing Strategic Tools for Growth
Looking forward, Lohia announced plans for new features to boost flexibility and earnings. A key innovation is "Sales as a Service," which enables distributors to lock in funds and schedule orders with manufacturers for a later date, allowing for more strategic inventory management.
The company also officially launched the OmniCard, a new debit card tailored for its network users. Maywa Ali, Head of Payments at OmniPay, explained that the card moves away from penalizing transaction charges. "Every time you use the OmniCard on any of our POS terminals, you earn cashback," Ali stated. The card supports fast swipe and tap transactions across OmniPay's POS network, enhancing speed and efficiency. Furthermore, consistent use helps users build their credit profile on the platform, potentially unlocking higher loan limits over time.
A Commitment to Partnership and Expansion
Deepankar Rustagi, Chief Executive Officer of OmniPay, thanked distributors for their loyalty and trust, positioning the company as a growth partner rather than just a service provider. Lohia disclosed plans to deepen engagement through regular meetings and to expand OmniPay's operational footprint beyond Lagos and Abuja into more states across Nigeria.
The gala night featured interactive games, cultural performances, and award presentations, fostering networking and relaxation for distributors away from daily business pressures. As OmniPay looks toward 2026, its focus remains on building practical tools, expanding reach, and strengthening partnerships, underpinned by the belief that fully supported distributors are key to achieving sustainable growth across Nigeria's entire supply chain.
