Two major Nigerian banks, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Wema Bank, have resumed international transactions on their naira debit cards, bringing relief to customers after nearly three years of restrictions.
In separate messages to customers, both banks confirmed the reactivation of foreign payment capabilities on their naira cards.
The move marks a significant shift following years of suspension due to foreign exchange constraints and regulatory limitations.
In its notice, UBA announced that its Premium Naira Cards including Gold, Platinum, and World variants—are now active for global usage.
“In line with our continued commitment to providing you with seamless and enhanced banking experiences, we are pleased to inform you that all UBA Premium Naira Cards, including Gold, Platinum, and World variants are now enabled for international transactions,” the bank said.
“This means you can now use your Premium Naira Card for everyday payments, online shopping, POS, and ATM transactions across the world, with more ease and flexibility.”
The bank also encouraged customers who haven’t used their cards recently to explore the convenience of premium card services once again.
Wema Bank echoed a similar update, telling customers that they can now pay in dollars using their Wema Naira Mastercard.
“Your Wema Naira Mastercard just went global! Now you can pay in dollars on all your favourite international platforms; Amazon, eBay, AliExpress? Netflix, Spotify, YouTube,” the bank announced.
The reinstatement of these services comes as broader foreign exchange market reforms gain momentum, boosting confidence among banks and card issuers.
The update is expected to ease cross-border purchases, travel payments, and subscription services for millions of Nigerians.
