Auto
Interswitch Unveils Three Transport Ticketing Products
By Dipo Olowookere
As part of its determination to bring succour to motorists in the country, Interswitch Group, the Nigeria Pan-African integrated digital payments company, has launched three transport ticketing products developed exclusively for the Nigerian market.
The three new products are the BeCard, the BeVal and the BeReader, but the company said it could expand this offer throughout Africa.
It was gathered that these products were developed as part of the multi-billion Naira deal signed with Bekoz UK Ltd, a British transport ticketing company, to enhance transportation ticketing in Nigeria.
The deal, which is worth £56 million (approx. N26 billion), will leverage British technology to keep Nigeria’s commuters on the move.
The BeCard is a regular shaped card – like any bank card or the Oyster card in London. The BeVal is the device that is installed on the buses where the passenger taps on – just like on the London buses, while BeReader is the mechanism that makes all these work.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr Akeem Lawal, Divisional CEO for Payment Processing at Interswitch highlighted the tremendous potential the partnership offers for revolutionizing the transportation system with attendant impact on millions of commuters in Nigeria.
He said: “Interswitch believes that the transport system in Nigeria, Africa’s largest consumer market, is ready for innovation. This partnership is a key and timely milestone in our industry vertical markets’ focus. It is highly compatible with our vision for Interswitch Transport Solutions (Smartmove) which is essentially to progressively facilitate a multi-modal and multi-operator transportation system underpinned by best-in-class technology”.
“This not only optimizes available infrastructural capacity, but also remarkably improves user experience for all parties in the transport and mobility ecosystem. Our partners, Bekoz, bring their expertise and experience to bear, and we are extremely optimistic about the multiplier effects that this initiative will ultimately have on economic activities across the nation,” he added.
Bekoz has co-created the technology with Interswitch and owns the intellectual property (IP) while the specifications and manufacturing is done by Delta Microelectronics, a global engineering company with a long and proud history of demonstrated excellence.
Speaking in Abuja, at the signing ceremony, Mr Jeremy Hunt, the British Foreign Secretary announced that Bekoz will be providing the contactless transit token technology and associated electronic equipment that allows people to travel around Nigeria’s large and varied transport infrastructure, similar to London’s Oyster system. However this will be tailored to Nigeria’s unique needs.
Mr Hunt said: “This is a great example of British and Nigerian companies working side by side to deliver a better, more prosperous future for us all.
“Africa’s success really matters to the UK, and this deal proves that we have a huge amount of expertise that we can share to contribute to that success. As we leave the European Union, now is the time to redouble our efforts, and commit to the partnerships we have with our African friends.”
Also commenting, Mr Jack Dangoor, CEO of Bekoz said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Interswitch to deliver a British-made fully custom transport ticketing system for Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Our technology offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for commuters and transport operators that satisfies local needs and utilizes the existing infrastructure provided by Interswitch. The ecosystem of the Bekoz solution will provide significant retail business and job opportunities in Nigeria and beyond.”
In the UK, topping up an Oyster card is quite easy. However, factors like limited network connectivity and little or no electricity might make topping the BeCard in Nigeria more difficult. That is why the BeReader is solar powered and does not require network connection all the time. It is a low-cost device and can transform anyone into an entrepreneur as every BeReader creates a business opportunity for the operator.
Much of the manufacturing will be done in UK, and the deal is expected to create jobs in the Nigerian business and transportation environment.
Auto
FRSC Condemns Attack on Traffic Enforcement Team by DSS Official
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Shehu Mohammed, has kicked against an alleged violent attack on the traffic enforcement team of the organisation by a motorist, who was later identified as a security operative.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Corps Commander for Public Education, Mr Osondu Ohaeri, in Abuja on Friday, it was claimed that the motorist was suspected to be an official of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Narrating the incident in the statement, the FRSC said on Thursday, May 21, 2026, its officials flagged down a Toyota Carina driver for a suspected traffic violation at about 3:20 pm, but he refused to stop and proceeded dangerously until he was eventually held up by traffic close to the Command in Idu, Abuja.
“Upon approach by the patrol team for routine checks of vehicle and driver documents, the offender became hostile, verbally aggressive, and resisted lawful enforcement procedures.
“Despite several tactical and professional attempts by FRSC personnel to de-escalate the situation, the offender escalated the confrontation by physically advancing toward officers and later drawing a pistol, which he fired twice within the vicinity of the Command.
“In the face of imminent danger to lives and property, FRSC personnel acted with remarkable restraint, professionalism, and tactical discipline to swiftly disarm the assailant without loss of life. One Marshal sustained minor bruises during the process,” the statement narrated.
It was disclosed that the suspect was immediately handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Life Camp Police Station alongside the firearm, ammunition components, and the vehicle involved, with the matter transferred to the appropriate State Command for further investigation.
In the statement, Mr Mohammed praised his men for the courage, professionalism, and maturity displayed by them, saying he’s impressed with how they resisted provocation and ensured that the situation did not degenerate into chaos, despite growing public outrage at the scene.
He further stated unequivocally that no individual, regardless of status, rank, or agency affiliation, is above the law, emphasising that security personnel are expected to lead by example through compliance with established traffic regulations and respect for constituted authority.
He called on all security agencies to continue strengthening inter-agency cooperation, mutual respect, and operational discipline in the collective interest of national security and public safety.
“Firearms and official status must never be used as instruments of intimidation against law enforcement officers carrying out legitimate duties,” he stressed.
Auto
Interswitch Digitises Nigeria’s Interstate Travel With Ticket Vending Platform
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s interstate transport ecosystem has been digitalised by the introduction of a ticket vending platform by one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, Interswitch.
This comprehensive digital solution was designed to transform ticketing, streamline operations, and enhance service delivery.
At the core of the solution is a secure, token-based system that allows travellers to purchase digital tickets across multiple channels, including web, mobile, and dedicated point-of-sale (POS) devices deployed at transport terminals.
These tokens serve as verifiable digital vouchers, which are validated and redeemed at boarding points, significantly reducing inefficiencies associated with manual ticketing, cash handling, and fragmented sales processes.
It was developed as both an operational management system and a digital marketplace to allow transport operators, particularly small and medium-scale businesses, to digitise their end-to-end processes while connecting to a broader customer base through the Quickteller ecosystem.
With this innovation, operators can seamlessly create and manage routes, oversee terminal activities, track sales, and access real-time performance insights from a single, centralised platform.
It also introduces a marketplace experience that enables travellers to search, compare, and select transport options across multiple operators based on routes, schedules, and pricing. This not only simplifies journey planning but also promotes transparency and choice for commuters.
The platform also supports corporate and institutional users by enabling bulk token purchases, offering a flexible and efficient solution for organisations managing employee or group travel.
In addition, it delivers value to regulators and stakeholders within the transport ecosystem by providing access to structured data and actionable insights that can support oversight, licensing, and consumer protection efforts.
“Transportation remains a critical backbone of Nigeria’s economy, yet much of the sector still operates with fragmented systems and manual processes that limit efficiency and growth.
“With the Ticket Vending Platform, we are introducing a scalable digital infrastructure that empowers transport operators to modernise their operations, expand their reach, and deliver a more seamless experience to travellers.
“Beyond ticketing, this is about creating a connected ecosystem, one that brings together operators, commuters, and regulators on a unified platform, while driving transparency, efficiency, and long-term value across the industry,” the Managing Director for Industry Ecosystems at Interswitch, Ms Chinyere Don-Okhuofu, said.
Auto
FRSC, Brewery Companies Renew Pact to Tackle Drink-Driving
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has renewed a strategic partnership with major brewing companies in Nigeria to intensify efforts against drunk driving and improve road safety nationwide.
The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed with members of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG), extends the collaboration for another five years, with both sides pledging to deepen public awareness, enforcement and community engagement.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the partnership underscores the importance of synergy between government and the private sector in addressing road crashes, particularly those linked to alcohol consumption.
He stressed that saving lives on Nigerian roads requires sustained collaboration, adding that the corps would continue to work with industry players to promote responsible behaviour among motorists.
Speaking on behalf of the BSG, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc and Chairman BSG, Thibaut Boidin, said the renewal reflects the industry’s commitment to sustained collaboration with regulators. He cited previous joint campaigns, including the Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign, as impactful, adding that the next phase would focus on expanding reach and strengthening implementation.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, Girish Sharma, said the industry remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote safer roads. He noted that while alcoholic beverages are often blamed for road crashes, the real issue lies in irresponsible consumption, particularly drinking and driving.
“We are here to work with you and ensure that this programme grows bigger and delivers real impact. Saving lives is what matters most,” he said.
Similarly, the chief executive of International Breweries Plc, Mr Nicholas Kade, commended the FRSC for its dedication, describing the corps’ efforts as critical to making communities safer. He said the brewing industry would continue to support initiatives that promote responsible drinking and road safety.
The Executive Director of the Beer Sectoral Group, Ms Abiola Laseinde, described the renewal as a milestone in public-private collaboration.
She said the partnership had driven nationwide campaigns against drunk-driving, influenced behaviour and reached millions of Nigerians with road safety messages.
Ms Laseinde added that both parties would scale up interventions in the next five years to further reduce crashes and promote responsible alcohol consumption.
The FRSC and BSG’s partnership has been central to national campaigns discouraging drunk-driving, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the renewed agreement will deliver stronger outcomes.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
