Before we enter into setting up and using Apple Pay wallet in Nigeria, let's shade some light on the question "can Apple Pay be used in Nigeria as a payment method?"
Yes, you can use Apple Pay in Nigeria. Infact, payment gateway platforms including Paystack, Flutterwave, and other payment intermediary companies in Nigeria allow merchants to accept Apple Pay from users in countries where Apple Pay is supported, including the US, UK, Canada, and others.
However, what you should be concerned about is not whether you can setup or use Apple Pay in Nigeria, it's whether Apple Pay can be used in-stores or online stores in Nigeria. The point is, No Nigerian online store or physical store is accepting Apple Pay as a mode of payment.
Payment gateways like Paystack only add Apple Pay payment option so that customers from Apple Pay supported countries like U.K., U.S., and Canada can pay Nigerian merchants directly from their wallet. If you walk into any Nigeria's store, you'll not see Apple Pay as a mode of payment unless the store owner is a foreigner.
What I am saying in essence is that Apple Pay works in Nigeria but you can't find it as a mode of payment in Nigerian stores. You can only use it for payment on Paystack or on foreign website that accepts the digital wallet.
Now, that you've understood how Apple Pay works in Nigeria, let's dive into how to set it up in Nigeria using a debit card.
How to setup Apple Pay in Nigeria
Setting up Apple Pay in Nigeria is simple. The processes are the same with setting it up in the U.S., or Canada. However, in terms of adding a debit card, the setup is slightly different because you'll be using a virtual dollar cards obtained from fintech companies like Chipper Card or Grey.co.
It's important to note that Nigerian debit cards, especially Naira-based cards, are often declined due to restrictions on international transactions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This is why you'll be using a virtual dollar card obtained from platforms like Cardtonic, Chipper, or Payoneer.
In addition to the virtual dollar (USD) card that's required to set-up Apple Pay in Nigeria, any supported Apple device, including iPhone 6 and above, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and above, iPad Mini 3 and above, and Apple Watch, is also required. However, it's important to note that the device you'll be using must support or have the latest iOS version, iPadOS, or WatchOS.
Once you have all these requirements ready, then start setting up your Apple Pay wallet. To set your Apple Pay up, you'll need to add your card to your Apple Wallet. The simple step by step guides to do that are outlined below:
- Navigate to settings and open the pre-installed Apple Pay wallet on your Apple device.
- On the app interface, you'll see a plus icon located at the top right corner of the screen. Tap the "+" icon to add your card.
- Enter your card information including the card CVV, expiry date, number, and PIN. You can get all these details on your issuer account dashboard.
- Note: an OTP code may be required for verification. You can get the OTP code from your issuer, probably sent to your registered phone number.
- Once the card is successful verified, it'll be added to your Apple Wallet, and you can start using digital wallet for payment.
- Any payment you make will be charged directly from the linked card. So, make sure you're always fund your virtual USD card on your issuer account where you generated the card.
Some popular fintech companies that offer virtual dollar cards that work on Apple Pay are Chipper Cash, Grey.co, Eversend, ALAT by Wema Bank, Bitnob, Payoneer, Geepay, and more. You can also use prepaid cards offer by some Nigerian banks. The popular prepaid card I can recommend is United Bank for Africa (UBA) Prepaid Visa Card.
How to use Apple Pay in Nigeria
If you know some foreign supermarkets in Nigeria that accepts contactless payment, you can definitely use Apple Pay for payment in them. However, let me say 98% of groceries stores in Nigeria preferred to accept cash-at-hand, local bank transfer, card, and point-of-sale (POS) payment.
The contactless payment technology that's widely accepted in the United States is not recognized in Nigeria. The popular uses of Apple Pay wallet in Nigeria are in-app purchases, online purchases, and Paystack and Flutterwave merchants use it as a mode of collecting payment.
In-app purchases
In Nigeria, Apple Pay can be used to pay for apps subscriptions e.g., Apple Music, iCloud+, Apple TV+, and other media purchases on the App Store or within Apple’s ecosystem. In addition, Apple Pay can also be used in Nigeria to make payments on any application that's offering in-app purchases e.g., gaming apps, streaming services like Spotify, YouTube Premium, or productivity tools like Capcut.
Online purchases
You can use Apple Pay to pay on websites and apps of international retailers e.g., Amazon, Temu or other global platforms, that operates in Nigeria. Additionally, Apple Pay can be used for purchases in Safari and other browsers on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other computers.
Merchants
Merchants that integrate payment gateways like Paystack or Flutterwave on its apps or websites can also use Apple Pay in Nigeria to receive payment from customers. Paystack and Flutterwave are the most prominent Nigerian payment gateways that support Apple Pay for Nigerian businesses, especially for international transactions.
These platforms allow Nigerian businesses to accept Apple Pay for payments in NGN, USD, GHS, and KES on their checkout pages, provided the business is enabled for international payments. So, don't be surprised if you see Nigerian merchants such as e-commerce, online stores, ticketing platforms, or subscription services offerring Apple Pay as a payment option.
However, to use the Apple Pay on Nigerian merchants online stores, check for the Apple Pay button or symbol during checkout, and complete your payment by tapping the Apple Pay button. Next, authenticate the payment using your Apple device set biometric such as passcode or face ID. Once authenticated, the payment is processed securely, and you’ll receive a confirmation.
Conclusion
Apple Pay works in Nigeria and can be used to make payments in Nigeria. However, you'll rarely find grocery stores that accepts contactless payment in Nigeria, and this is why Apple Pay usage in-store is limited in Nigeria. Nevertheless, Apple Pay can still be used online, in-app and as a payment method for merchants in Nigeria.