OPay, a leading digital bank in Nigeria, has won two awards at the th BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards 2026, taking home the titles of Digital Bank of the Year and Financial Inclusion Leader of the Year.

The awards ceremony was held on 9 October 2026 at the Civic Centre in Lagos. Now in its 14th edition, the BAFI Awards are presented by BusinessDay, a Nigerian business daily, to recognise excellence in Nigeria's financial services sector. This year's honours recognised OPay's impact in advancing digital financial services and expanding access to formal financial services for Nigerians.

The dual recognition reflects the company's commitment to delivering accessible, reliable, secure and convenient financial services through technology. With tens of millions of users and more than one million merchants and businesses supported, OPay holds a significant position in Nigeria's digital financial ecosystem. For many Nigerians, mobile platforms have become a key point of entry into formal financial services, giving digital banks a central role in everyday transactions.

The company provides its services through a range of channels, including mobile, USSD, cards, wallets and agency banking — channels widely used in Nigeria to reach customers outside traditional branch networks. USSD, in particular, works on basic mobile phones without an internet connection, while agency banking extends services through local agents in areas where bank branches are scarce. This multi-channel approach is designed to address barriers to financial access, particularly for underserved communities, while supporting individuals, small businesses and merchants with everyday financial transactions.

Commenting on the awards, OPay's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Dotun Adekunle, said: "I commend BusinessDay for its longstanding commitment to recognising excellence in Nigeria's financial services sector. These awards reaffirm our focus on delivering reliable and secure services that create real value for Nigerians. Our services are Okay, our people are Okay, and OPay is Okay."

The recognition builds on the payments company's broader efforts to advance financial inclusion through technology. Financial inclusion has been a longstanding policy priority of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which has promoted electronic channels and agent networks as a means of bringing more people into the formal financial system. OPay's nationwide network of merchants and agents connects more people and businesses to digital financial services, supporting greater participation in the formal financial system.

As OPay continues to strengthen its services, the company says it remains focused on putting customers first, building trust and delivering solutions that make everyday financial activities simpler and more accessible.

About OPay

Established in 2018, OPay is a digital bank based in Nigeria with a mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfers, bill payments, card services, airtime and data purchases, and merchant payments. Known for its fast and reliable network and security features designed to protect customers' funds, OPay is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.