ProvidusUnity Bank enables Google Pay for eligible Mastercard holders

ProvidusUnity Bank has enabled Google Pay for eligible customers holding its Mastercard cards, allowing them to make payments with compatible mobile devices at supported contactless terminals and online merchants.

The development gives customers another way to pay without presenting a physical card or repeatedly entering their card details when checking out online. Availability depends on device compatibility, merchant support and other applicable requirements.

The bank said the move builds on its investment in digital payments, which began in 2021 when it partnered with Mastercard and Thales to introduce Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES) tokenisation capabilities in Nigeria.

Tokenisation replaces sensitive card details with a unique digital token, helping protect the original card information during transactions. The technology underpins many digital wallet services, allowing customers to make payments without exposing their actual card numbers to merchants.

In 2022, the bank extended this work through a tap-to-pay initiative with Mastercard, Interswitch and Thales. Google Pay is the latest addition to its digital payment services.

ProvidusUnity Bank builds on tokenisation investment

Deoye Ojuroye, executive director and chief financial officer of ProvidusUnity Bank, said the Google Pay integration reflects the bank’s longer-term investment in payment infrastructure.

“Building resilient payment infrastructure is central to supporting customers and businesses,” Ojuroye said. “Our investment in tokenisation reflects a long-term view of digital finance, prioritising secure transactions, operational resilience and capabilities that can scale as payment behaviours change.”

Elliott Sangoleye, divisional head of digital bank at ProvidusUnity Bank, said the service gives eligible customers more flexibility when paying online and in person.

“Customers increasingly expect payments to fit naturally into their digital lives,” Sangoleye said. “Enabling eligible Mastercard holders to use Google Pay adds convenience across supported online and contactless transactions, while tokenisation helps reduce exposure of sensitive card details.”

To use the service, eligible customers can add their Mastercard cards to Google Pay on compatible devices. They can then pay at supported contactless payment terminals or participating online merchants without necessarily taking out their physical cards.

Similar read: Updated: ProvidusUnity customers lament service issues as bank works to stabilise post-merger systems

However, the service is limited to eligible cardholders and merchants that support Google Pay. Customers will also need compatible devices and must meet the wallet’s requirements.

Bank expands digital payment options for merchants

The bank said its merchant payment gateway also supports tokenisation, providing a foundation for supported digital wallet payments as the relevant integrations become available. Its contactless-enabled point-of-sale terminals can also accept eligible physical cards, compatible mobile wallets and payment-enabled wearables.

Lanre Ogundare, group head of card business and solutions at ProvidusUnity Bank, said the bank began investing in tokenisation ahead of the growing use of mobile payments and digital wallets.

“Our tokenisation journey began in 2021, when we recognised that digital wallets, mobile payments and payment-enabled devices would become increasingly important,” Ogundare said. “Enabling our Mastercard cards on Google Pay builds on that foundation, giving eligible customers greater flexibility while reinforcing our focus on secure, convenient transactions.”

The integration adds another payment option for ProvidusUnity Bank customers as digital wallets become part of everyday commerce. For merchants, broader support for digital payments could make it easier to serve customers who prefer paying with their phones or other compatible devices.

Also read: ProvidusUnity Bank partners gener8tor to connect Nigerian startups with local and international investors