Access Bank, Nigeria’s largest financial institution, has announced a strategic partnership with Novare Group to enhance the retail shopping experience across Nigeria. The collaboration aims to introduce a digitally powered loyalty and lifestyle platform that will bring added value to millions of shoppers while providing small businesses with tools to grow.
Central to the partnership is the rollout of Novare Loyalty and Rewards, a dynamic digital ecosystem that allows customers to earn and redeem NOVAS points, access personalised offers, and enjoy cashback rewards and early-bird promotions. The platform, built with real-time data analytics, is designed to deepen shopper engagement while providing merchants with powerful insights to optimise marketing and increase sales.
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In addition to rewards, customers will be able to access a suite of financial products from Access Bank, including digital wallets, insurance, loans, and cards. By integrating financial services into everyday shopping, the initiative not only enhances convenience but also supports broader efforts around financial inclusion.
Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking at Access Bank, Iyabo Soji-Okusanya described the partnership as a bold step towards delivering value beyond the checkout counter. “We’re excited to work with Novare to make everyday spending more rewarding for our customers,” she said. “Whether they’re buying groceries, fashion or tech, we want them to earn something extra with every purchase.”
With operations in all Nigerian states and a presence in over 15 African countries outside Nigeria, Access Bank brings significant scale and digital infrastructure to the collaboration. The bank currently serves more than 60 million customers through over 700 branches and digital channels, positioning it as one of the most accessible financial institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.
The loyalty platform will initially roll out across four Novare malls in Nigeria, including Novare Lekki Mall in Lagos, and Novare Apo, Gateway, and Central Malls in Abuja. These centres serve as key lifestyle and shopping destinations, hosting well-known brands such as Shoprite, MTN, and Domino’s Pizza. Together, they account for more than 50,000 square metres of developed retail space, welcoming millions of visitors annually.
Beyond Nigeria, Novare has completed major retail projects in Mozambique and Zambia, and the group is increasingly focused on growing its pan-African footprint through innovation-driven partnerships like this one.
According to Chairman of Novare Group, Nigeria, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu SAN the partnership with Access Bank represents a shift in how retail and finance interact on the continent. “Access Bank’s reach and technology enable us to take our loyalty and rewards business and benefits to the next level,” he said. “This is about more than rewards – we’re reshaping how shoppers interact with retailers and financial services under one unified platform.”
At the core of the rewards system is a mobile and merchant app ecosystem powered by a centralised data engine that personalises each customer journey. Users earn points not only through purchases but also through app engagement, while merchants gain tools for running targeted campaigns and promotions based on real-time insights.
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With Access Bank’s integration, the platform will soon allow users to link their bank accounts, make seamless payments, and access microloans and other embedded finance services. These features are designed to empower everyday consumers, especially those underserved by traditional financial systems.
The timing of the launch is strategic. A recent report from Research and Markets valued Nigeria’s loyalty programme market at just over $241 million, with projections that it will grow to $437 million by 2029, driven by demand for fintech-enabled, personalised, and mobile-first experiences. The market expanded by nearly 21% annually between 2020 and 2024, trends that align closely with the NOVAS strategy.
The Access-Novare partnership is scheduled to go live this summer, promising to redefine how people across Nigeria shop, pay, and save.
