Nigerian fintech startup, Strowallet Digital Services Limited has launched a card-issuing infrastructure built to empower fintech startups, microfinance institutions, and microfinance banks.
The new platform allows partners to issue both physical and virtual cards in record time, cutting deployment timelines from several months to just days.
According to Oseni Jamiu, CEO of Strowallet Digital Services Limited, the innovation reflects the company’s commitment to enabling financial inclusion through technology.
“We built this to empower other fintechs and microfinance banks to focus on their customers, while we handle the heavy lifting of card issuing,” Jamiu said. “Our goal is to make world-class payment solutions accessible to every institution, big or small.”
What You Should Know
Unlike legacy systems that require extensive technical integration and licensing delays, Strowallet’s solution offers two accessible deployment options; via API integration for fintech developers or through an intuitive dashboard designed for non-technical institutions.
The startup says this flexibility allows microfinance banks and smaller financial operators to access enterprise-grade infrastructure without the traditional barriers of cost or expertise.
Behind the simplicity of Strowallet’s service also lies a strong commitment to compliance and security.
The company operates in partnership with licensed Nigerian banks and adheres to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines, ensuring that all issued cards meet stringent national and international standards.
What This Means
The development marks a milestone in the democratisation of financial technology, particularly for smaller institutions often constrained by limited resources or regulatory complexity.
With Strowallet’s system, financial institutions can now issue:
- Physical Naira ATM cards for everyday withdrawals and in-store payments.
- Virtual Naira cards for secure local online transactions.
- Virtual Dollar cards for international subscriptions, payments, and e-commerce.
Experts say this layered offering positions Strowallet as one of the few indigenous providers enabling full-spectrum card issuance at both local and cross-border levels.
Understanding the Financial Technology Industry
Early adopters of the Strowallet infrastructure have reported remarkable reductions in product rollout timelines and significant improvements in operational efficiency.
These benefits are particularly vital in a Nigerian fintech market that has become one of Africa’s most competitive and innovation-driven.
Industry analysts note that Nigeria’s fintech sector, which is valued at $1.1 billion in 2024 is rapidly maturing, with customer expectations shifting toward instant, seamless services.
According to financial experts, the ability to issue digital and physical cards quickly has become a strategic advantage, particularly for startups seeking to onboard users at scale or launch new financial products.
By simplifying a process that once required complex bank partnerships and long regulatory approvals, Strowallet’s infrastructure is levelling the playing field for smaller financial institutions, enabling them to compete with the country’s top-tier digital banks.
The Race for Digital Dominance
Nigeria’s financial technology industry is currently in a high-speed race toward digitisation. Card issuance, once dominated by a few large players, is now an open field of opportunity.
With the rise of embedded finance and open banking frameworks, fintechs increasingly require partners that can provide customisable, API-first infrastructure. By focusing on simplicity, reliability, and accessibility, observers say Strowallet is positioning itself not just as a service provider, but as a strategic enabler of Africa’s digital financial future.
By reducing friction for innovators and expanding access for smaller players, Strowallet is helping to build the digital rails on which Africa’s next generation of fintech growth will run.
Talking Points
It is commendable that Strowallet has built a card-issuing infrastructure tailored specifically for fintech startups, microfinance institutions, and microfinance banks, segments often underserved by large payment processors in Nigeria.
This innovation directly tackles one of the most persistent challenges in the local fintech space: slow and complex card issuance. By cutting rollout timelines from months to days, Strowallet is democratising access to core financial infrastructure.
At TechParley, we recognise how such backend solutions can accelerate financial inclusion. When smaller players can issue cards without excessive technical barriers or compliance delays, it translates to broader access for end users, especially in rural and unbanked communities.
The ability to issue physical, virtual, and international dollar cards under one system is another significant advantage. It allows financial institutions to serve both local and global payment needs while maintaining compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulations.
Strowallet’s card-issuing platform could become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital finance revolution, giving smaller financial institutions the speed and confidence to compete with major banks and moving the country closer to a fully cashless economy.
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