NEXT Biometrics Secures Major Order for Financial Inclusion Project in Nigeria

Norwegian biometrics firm NEXT Biometrics has landed a significant order for its FAP 20 fingerprint sensors, bolstering a financial inclusion project in Nigeria. The deal, valued at an initial NOK 1.7 million delivered in the first quarter of 2025, is expected to be followed by additional orders ranging between NOK 10-17 million over the next year, marking a key expansion for the company in the burgeoning African market.

The FAP 20 sensors will be integrated into point-of-sale (POS) devices, enabling biometric authentication for financial transactions. The move aligns with a broader trend of biometric payment initiatives gaining traction in Nigeria. Companies like Torche Africa were working on biometric payment solutions as early as 2022. The project builds on prior involvement by NEXT Biometrics, including a 2020 initiative where their sensors were used in the first biometric POS device to be certified in Nigeria, facilitated by Newland Payment Technology.

The Nigerian market represents a significant opportunity for biometric technology adoption, driven by a desire to improve financial inclusion and security. NEXT Biometrics previously delivered fingerprint sensors for a financial inclusion project in Nigeria. The company’s previous deployments also include work with Waxed Mobile. The FAP 20 sensors are certified, a factor likely contributing to their selection by OEMs looking to meet international standards.

This deal also reflects a wider trend of biometric identification systems being implemented across the African continent. Recent developments, such as Tunisia’s planned rollout of biometric IDs in the first half of 2025 and Zimbabwe’s planned biometric system for tobacco farmers also in 2025, highlight the increasing adoption of biometric technology in various sectors. These initiatives, coupled with the growing adoption of ICAO-recommended standards, are driving demand for reliable and secure biometric solutions.

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April 3, 2025 – by Ji-seo Kim

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