WhatsApp builds payments expansion groundwork, Nigeria may benefit eventually
By Aboki Forex —
WhatsApp is developing a dedicated Payments section for its iOS app, a move that could eventually bring in-app money transfers to Nigeria and other countries. The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.33.10.70, but it is not yet available to beta testers and there is no confirmed launch date.
What the new Payments section looks like
The new section will allow users to select a contact, enter an amount and send money. Users can also save credit and debit card information, including expiry date, CVV and billing address. Shipping information such as email, phone number and delivery address can be saved, with options to download or delete stored payment data.
Existing markets and the country list
WhatsApp already supports payments in India, Brazil, Singapore and Mexico. India uses UPI, Brazil uses PIX, Singapore works with Stripe and PayNow, and Mexico allows registered businesses to accept payments in chats. The iOS beta includes a billing-address selector with countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United States. That does not mean WhatsApp is launching payments there, but it shows the system is being built for a wider market.
Kunal Shah and Nigeria's position
The development comes after WhatsApp appointed Kunal Shah as its new head, replacing Will Cathcart after seven years. Shah founded CRED, an Indian fintech company focused on credit card payments and financial services. His background adds weight to WhatsApp's push, but no launch date or market expansion has been announced.
For Nigeria, this could be significant if WhatsApp secures regulatory approvals and local payment partnerships. There is no official confirmation that Nigeria is on the list. For now, the clearest signal is that WhatsApp is building a more complete payment system that could eventually go beyond its current markets. Any expansion will depend on regulators and local partners, so users should not expect an immediate launch.