Google Pay has officially launched in Nigeria, with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Squad, the payment gateway operated by HabariPay, among the platforms enabling customers and businesses to use the digital payment service.
The development gives eligible GTBank cardholders another way to pay for online purchases without repeatedly entering their card details. At the same time, businesses using Squad can offer Google Pay as an additional payment option at checkout, potentially making it easier for customers to complete transactions.
According to an official announcement from Google, Google Wallet, which includes Google Pay, became available in Nigeria on October 28, 2026. The launch brings Google’s digital wallet services to compatible Android phones and Wear OS devices.
For Nigerian consumers who increasingly rely on digital services for shopping, travel bookings, subscriptions and bill payments, the introduction provides another option for completing transactions. Its practical value will depend on the availability of supported cards, compatible devices and merchants that accept the service.
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GTBank Customers Can Pay Online Without Re-entering Card Details
GTBank customers with eligible debit cards can add their cards to Google Wallet and use Google Pay when making purchases on supported websites and platforms.
Once a card has been added, customers can select Google Pay during checkout, choose their preferred card and authorise the payment. This reduces the need to enter card numbers, expiry dates and security codes every time they make an online purchase.
The service also incorporates security features designed to protect payment information. Google Pay uses a digital token in place of the actual card number, helping prevent merchants from receiving customers’ underlying card details during transactions.
According to GTCO’s announcement, eligible GTBank cards can be used for supported online transactions in Nigeria and internationally. These include purchases involving food delivery, travel, subscriptions, bills and other digital services.
Customers should note that Google Pay availability depends on card eligibility and whether the merchant supports the payment method. Contactless payments in physical shops also require a compatible device and a supported payment terminal.
Squad Enables Nigerian Businesses to Accept Google Pay
The rollout also introduces Google Pay to businesses that process payments through Squad, HabariPay’s payment gateway under Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO).
Merchants using Squad can offer Google Pay alongside existing payment methods, including bank transfers, card payments and USSD. According to GTCO, the option is enabled by default for businesses on the platform, although merchants can choose to disable it.
For customers, the process involves selecting Google Pay at checkout, choosing a saved card and confirming the transaction. The customer can then return to the merchant’s website after the payment is verified.
This integration could be particularly useful for Nigerian businesses selling products and services online. A shorter checkout process may reduce the number of customers who abandon purchases because payment takes too long or requires too many steps.
Squad merchants already configured to accept international payments can also receive Google Pay transactions from customers abroad. This creates another potential route for Nigerian businesses to serve international buyers, including Nigerians living overseas.
GTCO Group Chief Executive Officer Segun Agbaje highlighted the importance of addressing incomplete online purchases, explaining that some customers abandon transactions before payment is completed. The group’s approach connects its banking service for consumers with its payment infrastructure for merchants.
Back Story: Google Wallet’s Arrival in Nigeria Expands Digital Payments
Google’s entry into Nigeria’s digital wallet market marks another development in the country’s evolving financial technology sector. Mobile banking, online shopping and electronic transfers have become important parts of everyday transactions, increasing demand for convenient and secure payment options.
The Google Wallet launch announcement explains that users can add supported payment cards and store selected digital items, including loyalty cards, event tickets and boarding passes. Security measures include encryption and tools for securing a lost or stolen device.
GTCO’s participation is notable because the group is enabling both sides of a digital transaction. GTBank provides an option for eligible customers to make payments, while HabariPay’s Squad platform allows participating merchants to receive them.
However, the launch does not mean every Nigerian bank card or online store will automatically support Google Pay. Customers must confirm that their cards are eligible, while merchants need to support the service at checkout.
For Nigerian businesses seeking to serve customers more efficiently, the integration offers another payment option to consider. Its wider impact will depend on adoption by consumers, availability across financial institutions and the number of merchants that make the service part of their everyday payment experience.
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