By David Akinmola
Nigeria’s fast-growing fintech ecosystem is witnessing a shift from purely digital platforms to stronger physical infrastructure, as payment service provider PalmPay expands its operational footprint across the country to accelerate financial inclusion.
The company, which now operates 28 offices nationwide, said the strategy is designed to bring digital financial services closer to communities, strengthen partnerships with merchants and improve customer engagement as competition intensifies in the fintech sector.
Managing Director of PalmPay, Chika Nwosu, said building physical infrastructure alongside digital platforms is critical to expanding access to financial services in Nigeria.
“Financial inclusion must be built on infrastructure,” he said, explaining that the company’s expanding office network supports operational efficiency while enabling closer engagement with users, agents and businesses across different regions.
PalmPay offices are currently located in major commercial centres including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City and Enugu, reflecting the company’s push to build a nationwide presence.
In 2025, the fintech firm added two new offices in Lagos located in Ikeja and Yaba, further strengthening its operational base in Nigeria’s largest commercial hub.
Industry analysts say the expansion reflects a broader trend in Nigeria’s fintech sector where digital platforms are increasingly investing in physical infrastructure to support agent networks, merchant partnerships and customer service operations.
A Lagos-based fintech analyst noted that while digital technology remains the backbone of financial inclusion, physical infrastructure is becoming essential for scaling services and building trust among users.
“Many Nigerians still require physical touchpoints for onboarding, support and agent operations. Fintech firms that combine digital platforms with strong on-ground presence will likely scale faster,” the analyst said.
Beyond service delivery, PalmPay said its office expansion is also contributing to job creation and community development in the regions where it operates.
Through initiatives such as the Purple Woman programme, the company said it is increasing female participation in its workforce by training and recruiting women across its operational network.
In 2025, the fintech company also organised capacity-building outreach programmes in Kano and Kaduna, where about 3,000 women received financial literacy training and tools to support their small businesses.
According to Nwosu, these initiatives reflect the company’s broader objective of strengthening local economic ecosystems while expanding access to digital finance.
Industry stakeholders say Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive is increasingly dependent on collaboration between fintech firms, banks and regulators to expand services to underserved populations.
With millions of Nigerians still outside the formal financial system, analysts note that combining digital innovation with accessible infrastructure could play a crucial role in bridging the financial access gap and supporting economic participation across the country.
