Nigerian financial service technology company, Opay, has announced it will be committing more than N50 million in its initial efforts in providing relief support for less privileged Nigerians and front-line medical workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As part of its #DoMore initiative, the firm is also dedicating one percent of every airtime transaction done via the OPay app to purchase relief materials for the vulnerable population during the pandemic.
In a statement, OPay Nigeria’s Country Manager, Iniabasi Akpan, noted that starting in Lagos, the firm will be partnering with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to identify and reach the less privileged communities and families.
According to him, “To ensure the most efficient use of funds, OPay leveraged its new eCommerce marketplace platforms, OTrade and OMall, to source materials from sellers at lower prices and better quality than otherwise could be found. The company plans to continue this effort in several other cities across the country.
“As we continue to support the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, we must also acknowledge that many Nigerians are going through a very tough time. As a company that has grown to be strong because of the patronage of Nigerians, it is OPay’s duty to, therefore, provide as much support to the less privileged in our communities as possible. We are convinced that Nigerians are resilient, and together we will do more and triumph over this pandemic.”
Akpan continued, “OPay is partnering with NGOs, ‘Slum2School’ and ‘Dreams From The Slum’, who have years of experience in identifying and distributing the relief materials to urban communities who need them the most.
“Secondly, to support front-line medical workers who are at highest risks, the top-leading fintech company donated 40,000 face masks to support the Lagos State Government’s #MaskupLagos initiative set up to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the country in May. It commits to donating another 300,000 face masks to the most impacted hospitals in Nigeria in partnership with other Nigerian public and financial institutions.”
OPay is a leading mobile money (MMO) and financial technology platform in Nigeria, dedicated to accelerating financial inclusion through technology. Currently, it has a network of 300,000 agents, 5 million registered app users, and an ever-increasing range of financial and related services for Nigerians.
In addition, it has recently launched a series of new digital platforms, including eCommerceOMall and OTrade, urban logistics and delivery solution OExpress, and multi-passenger ride-sharing service OHitch.