Lebara customers can now pay for airtime and data through Payaza
Lebara Nigeria has named Payaza Africa as its exclusive payment partner, letting customers buy airtime, data, and subscriptions directly through the telco's new digital platform.
The News
Lebara Nigeria, the local operation of the London-based mobile network, has signed an exclusive partnership with payment infrastructure provider Payaza Africa Limited to power digital payments across its services for Nigerian and diaspora customers.
Context
The deal is a concrete step in the growing convergence of telecoms and fintech in Nigeria. By embedding Payaza's infrastructure directly into its platform, Lebara aims to offer more than just voice and data. The company's stated vision is to bundle connectivity, digital services, payments, and entertainment in one place, and this agreement provides the financial rails to make that happen.
Detail
Payaza becomes Lebara Nigeria's official payment partner following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. A senior Payaza executive, Teni Stuffman, confirmed the signing in a statement. Lebara Nigeria's CEO, Teniola Stuffman, said the partnership helps the company deliver on a vision of providing "everything our customers need in one box: connectivity, digital services, payments, entertainment, and solutions that make everyday life simpler."
For customers, the immediate impact is practical. The integration will allow seamless purchases of airtime and data, and management of subscriptions through Lebara's apps and USSD channels. The payment rollout is planned within the current quarter. The payment system also extends to LebaraPlay, an on-platform micro-drama service the company calls Africa's first telecom-owned micro-drama platform.
The arrangement also targets the diaspora. Payaza's system enables collections and payouts across multiple jurisdictions, making it easier for Nigerians abroad to fund airtime and data for family members at home. Payaza told Business Insider Africa that Lebara's choice was "a significant vote of confidence in our infrastructure, our people and our ability to support global brands—not only in Nigeria, but across the 19 African markets in which we operate."
Lebara Nigeria operates as a Tier 5 Mobile Virtual Network Operator under a Unified Virtual Operator licence obtained through local firm VAS2Nets Technologies in 2023. It is one of roughly 46 MVNOs licensed that year by the Nigerian Communications Commission to boost competition and rural connectivity. The company is operating in partnership with Airtel Nigeria for network infrastructure and has introduced a dedicated 0724 number series for its SIMs.
