Nigerians can now shop and pay for services worldwide again as major banks have reactivated international transactions on their naira debit cards.
United Bank for Africa (UBA), Wema Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) announced on July 4, 2025, that their naira cards are once again enabled for global payments and withdrawals. This move ends a nearly three-year suspension caused by foreign exchange challenges and dollar shortages in Nigeria’s banking sector.
UBA confirmed that all its Premium Naira Cards, including Gold, Platinum, and World variants, can now be used for online shopping, POS payments, and ATM withdrawals worldwide. Wema Bank highlighted that customers can now pay in dollars on popular platforms like Amazon, eBay, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube using their naira Mastercards. GTBank also resumed international transactions but set a quarterly spending limit of $1,000, with ATM withdrawals capped at $500 per quarter.
This reopening follows Central Bank of Nigeria’s liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, which has stabilised the naira and improved dollar liquidity. Financial experts say the improved forex availability encouraged banks to lift restrictions and restore global access for their customers.
For Nigerian consumers, this means easier access to international goods and services without relying on virtual dollar cards or third-party payment methods. It also signals a positive step toward integrating Nigeria’s banking system with the global economy.
Banks are expected to maintain these services and possibly expand limits, offering more convenience to users who rely on international platforms for shopping, subscriptions, and business.
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