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NextFrontier Africa is a media platform spotlighting Africa’s emerging opportunities in technology, tourism, aviation, agriculture, health, logistics, real estate, trade, education, and e-commerce.

August 13.2025

2 Minutes Read

How Inclusive Design is Essential for Onboarding Nigeria's Unbanked Citizens

Busy Nigerian market highlighting inclusive design for unbanked community.

Bridging the Digital Divide: The Crucial Role of Inclusive Design in Nigeria

Nigeria, a vibrant nation with a population exceeding 200 million people, faces a significant challenge in digital inclusion. As technology transforms various sectors, many citizens still grapple with digital exclusion due to a lack of accessible design in apps and online services. Imagine trying to navigate a banking application only to find the instructions are available only in English, or trying to watch a tutorial that consumes excessive data. These scenarios represent the everyday hurdles for numerous Nigerians, particularly those living in rural areas or with limited tech proficiency.

Understanding User Constraints: A Step Toward Solution

To tackle the issue of exclusion, it's essential to understand the varying digital contexts of users across Nigeria. Many individuals reside in areas with poor internet connectivity or rely on non-smartphones, yet most services are tailored exclusively for smartphone users. The need for user-friendly platforms that consider local languages and cultural nuances cannot be overstated. Recent efforts by companies like FirstBank, which have introduced voice-guided ATM services to assist visually impaired users, demonstrate how systematic inclusivity can foster greater reach.

The Untapped Potential of the Informal Sector

With the informal sector constituting about 76.7% of Nigeria's workforce, there emerges a golden opportunity for tech innovators to address its needs through inclusive design. The Micro Pension Plan, which targets those in informal employment like traders and artisans, remains largely inaccessible. By leveraging technology to create more tailored digital tools for this demographic, significant strides could be made in securing financial futures for millions.

Future Trends: Towards an Inclusive Digital Landscape

As we look to the future, it is imperative for developers and organizations to prioritize inclusivity not just within financial services, but across other vital sectors such as health and education. Navigational apps should incorporate local dialects and accents, making them more relatable for everyday users. This inclusive approach will not only increase user engagement but also ensure that technology is a tool for empowerment, not exclusion.

The Call to Action for Change-makers

It is no longer sufficient for digital platforms to simply exist; they must evolve to meet the diverse needs of Nigeria's population. As technology enthusiasts, investors, and developers, you can contribute to this transformation by actively promoting inclusive design practices that address these critical gaps in accessibility.

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How Inclusive Design is Essential for Onboarding Nigeria's Unbanked Citizens

Bridging the Digital Divide: The Crucial Role of Inclusive Design in Nigeria

Understanding User Constraints: A Step Toward Solution

The Untapped Potential of the Informal Sector

Future Trends: Towards an Inclusive Digital Landscape

The Call to Action for Change-makers

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