O3 Capital (O3), a leading Nigerian fintech and the country’s first non-bank credit card issuer, announces the launch of its new Blink Travel Card (“Blink Card”) designed to simplify international travel to Nigeria for returning Nigerians, expatriates, and tourists, boosting spending and economic participation across the festive season.
Available now in both digital and physical form, the Blink Card can be instantly acquired and loaded with currency from any foreign bank card, converted to naira, enabling transactions to be completed in the local currency. The card offers tap-to-pay and cash withdrawals at over 40 million merchants and ATMs nationwide, making it the ideal solution for visitors to Nigeria.
The Blink Card also avails Nigerians in the diaspora to spend like locals when they return to their country of origin. Payments for goods and services can be completed via the virtual Blink Card, linked to the O3Cards app. Funds can also be transferred instantly to all local banks and other financial institutions.
According to the World Bank, remittance inflows account for approximately 5.6% of Nigeria’s GDP, and the resultant spending power is unlocked when the diaspora returns home for the festive period. In December 2024, c. ₦95 billion was injected into the Nigerian economy by inbound passengers – 90% being diasporic Nigerians – spending on short-let accommodation and hotels, events and hospitality, nightlife and dining, and vehicle rentals. The launch of the Blink Card promises to spur this spending further, providing a significant boost to local businesses.
Blink Cards are available for collection at all Nigerian international airports, offering an immediate and hassle-free route to financial empowerment for people arriving in the country. Blink Card carriers benefit from increased convenience, flexibility, and safety by not needing to carry large amounts of physical cash, while the ability to pre-load cards promotes smarter budgeting practices.
Abimbola Pinheiro, Chief Executive Officer of O3 Capital, said: “We are excited to launch the Blink Card to promote greater economic participation among visitors to Nigeria. The card removes the needless friction and costs involved in legacy foreign exchange and cash payment processes, offering a quicker and more transparent option for spending in the country.
“As Nigerians begin traveling home for Christmas – combined with the regular traffic of arriving tourists, expatriates, and businesspeople – this is the perfect time to launch a solution catering to the financial needs of visitors, tapping into the seasonal spending boom which provides an annual lifeline for local economies and SMEs.”
The launch of the Blink Card marks the latest milestone in O3’s strategic expansion journey following sustained and growing demand for the company’s products and services. O3 has consistently operated at the forefront of innovation in card payments – from launching the first non-bank credit cards to issuing a suite of international cards for consumers and SMEs, designed specifically to support the international spending needs of businesses – underscoring the company’s mission to promote economic empowerment in Nigeria.
