From September 29, all payments at Lagos and Abuja airports will go fully cashless under a new FAAN–Paystack partnership. With revenue points like gates, car parks, lounges, and protocols transitioning to contactless digital channels, Nigeria’s airports are taking a bold step toward efficiency, transparency, and global best practices.
A New Era of Airport Payments
Nigeria’s busiest airports — Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja — are set for a digital revolution. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in partnership with leading fintech player Paystack, has announced the rollout of its “Operation Go Cashless” initiative.
From September 29, airport users will no longer be able to pay cash at revenue points. Instead, all transactions — including access gates, parking, VIP and protocol lounges — will move to digital and contactless platforms.
This cashless payments shift represents more than a payment upgrade. It signals Nigeria’s intent to align its aviation infrastructure with global standards, strengthen revenue assurance, and improve customer experience in one of the country’s most critical gateways.
Why Cashless Matters for Airports
FAAN’s management outlined four key objectives:
- Speed and Security: Digital transactions reduce bottlenecks at entry points, enhance passenger convenience, and curb risks linked to cash handling.
- Revenue Assurance: Electronic channels plug leakages, ensuring all collections are transparent and traceable.
- Customer Experience: Seamless payments modernise service delivery, making Nigeria’s airports more competitive globally.
- Digital Alignment: By integrating fintech solutions, FAAN is positioning airports at the forefront of Nigeria’s cashless economy drive.
Passengers will also have access to “FAAN Go Cashless Cards” — prepaid cards obtainable at access gates, instantly activated via www.gocashless.faan.gov.ng.
Sector-by-Sector Analysis
1. Aviation Sector
For airlines and airport operators, cashless operations mean faster passenger flows and greater operational efficiency. Less cash handling reduces fraud, leakages, and security risks.
Investor Implication: Improved revenue assurance boosts FAAN’s capacity to reinvest in infrastructure, enhancing Nigeria’s attractiveness for aviation PPPs and concession projects.
2. Fintech & Digital Payments
The partnership puts Paystack at the center of Nigeria’s aviation commerce ecosystem. With millions of travellers passing through Lagos and Abuja annually, transaction volumes could soar.
Investor Implication: This creates a new frontier for fintech revenues, data analytics, and cross-selling financial products (e.g., travel insurance, FX payments). Expect more fintech-airport collaborations across Africa.
3. Manufacturing & Retail (Airport Concessions)
Airport concessionaires — restaurants, duty-free shops, car rentals — must now plug into FAAN’s digital ecosystem. While this may require tech upgrades, it ensures transparency and broader access to consumer insights.
Investor Implication: Cashless adoption enhances predictability for concession revenues, making airport retail more attractive for international brands.
4. Tourism and Hospitality
A seamless payment system is crucial for Nigeria’s image as a travel destination. For international visitors, the ability to pay via cards, wallets, and digital channels aligns with expectations in Dubai, London, or Johannesburg.
Investor Implication: Improved passenger experience could enhance Nigeria’s tourism competitiveness, encouraging hotel and leisure investments.
5. Government & Public Sector Finance
Cashless collections expand government’s tax base by curbing leakages. With aviation revenues fully traceable, authorities can model accurate forecasts for sector reinvestment.
Investor Implication: Greater fiscal transparency strengthens Nigeria’s case with multilateral financiers and infrastructure investors.
Implementation Features
- Brand Ambassadors: Trained staff deployed at terminals to guide passengers, demonstrate onboarding, and resolve questions.
- Credit Transition: Users with existing payments or balances can roll them into the Go Cashless ecosystem.
- Support Channels: Hotline (0700-227-3226) and email ([email protected]) provided for customer queries.
- Nationwide Rollout: After Lagos and Abuja, cashless operations will expand in phases to regional airports like Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu.
Challenges to Watch
- Digital Literacy: Ensuring all classes of passengers, including less tech-savvy travellers, can adopt cashless platforms smoothly.
- Network Reliability: Connectivity gaps could create friction at payment points if not addressed with redundancy measures.
- Trust Issues: Nigerians wary of hidden charges or failed transactions must see tangible efficiency to build confidence.
- Inclusivity: Low-income airport workers and taxi operators dependent on cash may struggle without tailored support.
BRANDECONOMY Takeaways for Decision-Makers
- Government: Expand cashless infrastructure beyond airports into ports, borders, and inland transit hubs.
- Airlines & Airport Operators: Integrate loyalty schemes and ancillary services into the new digital ecosystem.
- Fintechs: Seize opportunities for co-branded products, travel wallets, and cross-border payment solutions.
- Investors: Digital adoption signals improved governance in Nigeria’s aviation sector, lowering risk for PPPs and concessions.
- Consumers: Expect faster clearance, reduced fraud, and modern service — but demand accountability on fees and network uptime.
The Bigger Picture
FAAN’s move is part of a broader digital pivot across Nigeria’s economy. With the CBN driving financial inclusion, government pushing e-governance, and fintechs scaling rapidly, cashless airports are the next natural step.
If successful, “Operation Go Cashless” could become a model for African aviation, proving that Nigeria can leapfrog inefficiencies through technology.
