In a move to modernize one of West Africa’s largest commercial hubs, OneWallet Microfinance Bank has entered into a strategic tripartite partnership with Zenith Bank and MTN. The collaboration aims to deploy a robust digital financial services platform tailored specifically for traders and Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Ariaria International Market, Aba.
The platform was officially unveiled by the Chairman of OneWallet, Dr. C Darl Uzu, who described the initiative as a “business support engine” rather than just another payment app. By integrating telecommunications and Tier-1 banking infrastructure, the project seeks to bridge the financial inclusion gap for the thousands of entrepreneurs who form the backbone of Abia State’s economy.
The “Smart Commerce” Toolkit The partnership is tackling the digital divide through hardware and data-driven credit:
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UnionBell Smart Devices & POS: OneWallet is providing affordable smartphones and Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals to help traders digitize their daily transactions.
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History-Based Lending: Dr. David Nwosu, Director of OneWallet, announced a shift away from traditional collateral. Instead, the platform uses a business’s transaction history on the app to determine loan eligibility.
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Credibility Building: The platform is designed to help SMEs build a verifiable financial track record, making them attractive for future large-scale expansion and international trade.
Why Ariaria? The choice of Aba as the pilot location is highly symbolic. Known as the “China of Africa,” Ariaria is a global center for footwear and garment manufacturing. Dr. Uzu noted that while the people of Ariaria already understand trade, the goal is to “support that energy with tools to reach more customers and organize better.”
Strategic Backing The partnership brings together the distinct strengths of its members:
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MTN: Providing the connectivity and digital backbone, as highlighted by Dr. Ernest Chieke.
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Zenith Bank: Providing the clearing and settlement infrastructure. Carl Akwarandu, representing Zenith Bank, pledged full support to position OneWallet as Nigeria’s leading microfinance institution for small businesses.
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International Expertise: Board member Wiedong Wang expressed optimism that the synergy between local market knowledge and global fintech trends would ensure the platform’s success.
By formalizing the “Aba business spirit” through digital records, the OneWallet platform is set to turn informal market stalls into bankable enterprises ready for the 2026 economic landscape.
