Nigeria's digital economy has reached a significant milestone, with the payment technology platform Remita processing transactions worth more than ₦100 trillion throughout the year 2025. This colossal figure underscores the platform's central role as the foundational infrastructure for the nation's rapidly expanding digital financial ecosystem.
The Invisible Engine of Nigeria's Payments
Operating largely behind the scenes, Remita functions as the critical "rails" for Nigeria's payment system. Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a Switch, Payment System Service Provider, Payment Terminal Service Provider, and Super-Agent, it enables millions of daily transactions. Its services span both the public and private sectors, facilitating everything from salary payments, loan repayments, and school fees to pension disbursements, utility bills, and government revenue collection.
The company reported that this massive transaction volume was not the result of occasional spikes but was driven by consistent, everyday financial activities. These include transaction switching for banks, corporate and public-sector payments, and various consumer financial flows.
Expanding Reach: From Local Communities to Continental Integration
On any given day, Remita's infrastructure supports a wide spectrum of economic activities across Nigeria. This includes a civil servant in Gombe receiving her salary, a contractor in Kogi getting paid, a student in Enugu settling university fees, and a motorist anywhere in the country paying a traffic fine.
Beyond domestic transactions, Remita facilitated access to over 15,000 products and services across 180 countries. A key strategic move in 2025 was its integration with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). This integration aims to simplify cross-border payments within Africa and reduce dependency on third-party foreign currencies.
'DeRemi Atanda, Managing Director of Remita, emphasized the company's vision for a connected Africa. "Our responsibility is to build systems that can support that future. We are not just building for Nigeria. We are building infrastructure that can support Africa’s digital economy," he stated.
Technology and Inclusion: AI and Reaching the Underbanked
Artificial intelligence became a notable part of Remita's strategy in 2025. The company released a fintech AI report that positioned Nigeria within global conversations on AI in financial services, pointing toward more predictive and responsive payment systems.
Financial inclusion remained a core focus. Through partnerships with agent networks like Moniepoint, NIPOST, and Paga, Remita helped extend digital payment access to underbanked communities, bringing vital services closer to individuals and small businesses outside traditional banking channels.
Looking Ahead: A Next-Generation App and Future Prospects
Remita is already preparing for its next phase of growth. Following a public beta in late 2025, the company plans the full public launch of a next-generation mobile app in the first quarter of 2026. The new app is expected to offer features such as:
- Multi-bank account management
- Esusu (Ajo) group functionalities
- Recurring payment setups
- International transactions in local currency
- Discounted airline tickets
As Nigeria and the broader African continent push for deeper economic integration, analysts highlight that reliable, scalable, and often invisible platforms like Remita are set to play an even more critical role in shaping the continent's financial future.
