Ireland's CardBase Technologies has been contracted to add a debit application to banking consortium ValuCard Nigeria's e-purse scheme.
The application will allow card holders to pay for purchases by both debit and 'cash' using the same smart card.
Jude Atoh, acting CEO, ValuCard Nigeria, comments: "We are confident that in the new ValuCard which combines the purse with on-line and off-line debit capabilities, we have a product that brings unparalleled convenience"
CardBase says ValuCard's electronic purse scheme, which it developed, has captured over 80 per cent of the Nigerian e-payments market since its launch in 1999.
The debit card system is scheduled for release in 2003.