Sparkle is a digital ecosystem providing financial, lifestyle, and business support services. The fintech startup has partnered with payments experts Network International to power its newly launched payment card offering.
This follows the startup’s collaboration with Visa months back to allow them (Sparkle) issue to its users Visa cards.
Sparkle was founded by Uzoma Dozie, former chief executive officer (CEO) of Diamond bank and current tech entrepreneur. The aim of starting Sparkle was to provide seamless solutions to Nigerian individuals, retailers, and SMEs. The startup’s new payment cards – virtual and plastic debit cards, have as a target SMEs and upwardly mobile, unbanked consumers across Nigeria. The payment cards will bring to the target market flexibility, convenience, safety, and security of cashless payments across various channels.
The collaboration between Sparkle and Network International is based on both companies shared commitment to push further digital payments adoption among emerging markets across Africa and the Middle East. Sparkle’s users can use the new virtual card to make in-app payments and to make e-commerce transactions with the cards attached to their Sparkle profile.
The fintech startup, with this collaboration, has access to Network’s years of experience and expertise in creating for emerging markets card solutions. There is also the benefit of having access to Network’s advanced digital infrastructure and robust security protocols, removing the need to invest in expensive card management infrastructure.
Speaking about this collaboration, Uzoma Dozie mentioned the excitement of partnering with Network International, what they would bring to Sparkle’s platform in the area of payment processing and data insights, and what it means for the enablement and transformational impact for Nigerians anywhere in the world who are connected to Sparkle’s platform.
Nigeria in focus:
Population: 200.9 million (2019)
GDP: $448.12 billion (2019)
GDP Per Capita: $2,229 (2019)
