Small traders in Kano’s Sabon Gari area are increasingly embracing digital payment platforms, transforming the way they conduct business and improving convenience for customers.
The growing adoption of Point of Sale, POS, terminals, bank transfers, and mobile banking has reduced dependence on cash transactions, particularly among roadside vendors, market women, food sellers, and neighbourhood shops.
A NAN correspondent who visited major streets in Sabon Gari observed that virtually every street has more than five POS operators providing cash withdrawal, deposits, and transfer services.
The development has also encouraged many petty traders to accept transfers from customers, eliminating the need to lose sales due to a lack of cash or change.
Some traders told NAN that digital payments had simplified their businesses, enabling them to serve more customers while reducing the risks associated with carrying large amounts of cash.
Mrs Zainab Ibrahim, a provisions seller along France Road, said accepting transfers had increased her daily sales because many customers now preferred cashless payments.
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“Many people no longer carry cash. If I refused transfers, I would lose customers. Now they simply transfer the money, and I receive an alert before handing over the goods,” she said.
A fruit seller, Ahmed Musa, said he initially relied solely on cash but later adopted digital payments after repeated requests from customers.
“At first I was afraid of being scammed, but after learning how to verify payment alerts properly, I now receive transfers every day,” he said.
Mr Joseph John, who operates a POS business around Church Road by Ibo Road in Sabon Gari, said the growing number of digital transactions had created employment opportunities for many young people.
He noted that POS services had become an essential part of neighbourhood commerce, allowing residents to withdraw cash, transfer funds, and pay bills without visiting bank branches.
According to him, the increasing presence of POS operators on almost every street reflects the growing demand for accessible financial services.
Another POS operator, Mary Haruna, said demand usually surged during weekends, salary periods, and festive seasons when many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) experienced long queues or cash shortages.
She added that besides earning commissions on transactions, POS businesses also supported nearby traders by attracting more customers to commercial areas.
Some customers also expressed satisfaction with the ease of making purchases through digital channels.
Mr Chinedu Okafor, a resident of Sabon-Gari, said digital payments had made shopping faster because customers no longer needed to search for cash or exact change.
“I buy food, household items, virtually everything using transfers almost every day. It saves time and is more convenient,” he said.
However, some traders identified unstable network services, delayed transaction reversals, and occasional failed transfers as major challenges affecting cashless transactions.
NAN reports that the rapid spread of POS outlets and digital payment options in Sabon-Gari underscores the growing shift toward a cashless economy, even among small-scale businesses traditionally driven by cash transactions.
NAN
