Lebara Nigeria teams with Payaza to power new digital commerce platform for ticket purchases
Lebara Nigeria, an MVNO, has partnered with fintech Payaza to power a new digital commerce platform, with Payaza as exclusive payment partner and technology provider. The agreement was signed recently in Lagos, enabling subscribers to purchase airline tickets, event tickets and other services directly through the platform.
This partnership reflects telecom operators' push beyond traditional voice and data services as they seek to diversify revenue in Nigeria's competitive market. Lebara aims to build a digital ecosystem combining connectivity with financial services and lifestyle offerings, aligning with its 'Telco Trinity' philosophy. The move highlights the growing MVNO market where operators lease network infrastructure while focusing on value-added services.
Payaza provides the payment infrastructure and has existing footprint across 19 African markets, allowing telecom partners to expand into new countries without rebuilding payments systems. Lebara's recently launched Lebara Play platform and planned commerce hub reflect this lifestyle-led strategy. Isioye believes MVNOs are positioned to drive innovation in Nigeria's telecom sector, calling the segment 'the next big thing' and predicting most Nigerians will get digital solutions via MVNOs within five years.