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Paga Sponsors MoC’s Live Coverage of the Tokyo Olympic Games!
With only 3 days before the commencement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Nigeria’s foremost sports management and media firm — Making of Champions Limited (MoC) — has announced leading payments & mobile money company Paga, as the official sponsor of MoC’s live coverage of the Tokyo Olympic Games scheduled to hold from 23rd July — 8th August 2021 at Tokyo, Japan.
MoC has built a reputation in Africa and across the globe, providing world-class media coverage at over 10 major competitions since 2014, including Rio Olympics, 3 World Championships (Beijing 2015, London 2017, Doha 2019), 3 African Championships (Marrakech 2014, Durban 2016, Asaba 2018), 2 World Relays (Bahamas 2014 & 2015), 2 African Games (Brazzaville 2015, Rabat 2019) & 1 World Junior Championships (Bydgoszcz 2016).
Today, MoC is a leading source of live Team Nigeria coverage and will capture every moment of Team Nigeria’s performances at the Tokyo Olympics Games courtesy of Paga, across all the sports that the nation will be competing in — Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Canoe sprint, Gymnastic, Rowing, Taekwondo, Table Tennis and Wrestling.
This new partnership comes in the wake of a successful Paga/MoC Relay competition hosted in Lagos, where both establishments partnered to enable Relay & Individual Athletes from across Nigeria and Africa to qualify for the Olympics. Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m broke the African Record (AR) and National Record (NR), qualifying with a time of 3:14.09s.
Speaking on the partnership, MoC Founder & CEO Bambo Akani said: “We are elated to welcome Paga as sponsors of our live coverage of the Tokyo Olympics Games. Paga has again reinforced its commitment to making life possible for everyone by ensuring millions of Nigerians home and abroad are afforded the opportunity of following Team Nigeria’s performance at the Olympics Games via our website & social media channels”.
Also commenting on the partnership, Paga’s Founder & CEO, Tayo Oviosu said, “At Paga, we recognize and celebrate excellence, and the Olympics is a culmination of sporting excellence. This continued partnership with MoC is a valuable reminder of how we “make life possible”, by making it easier for people to enjoy such a monumental event. We at Paga are fully committed in whichever way possible to move the sporting industry forward and are rooting for the athletes. May they come back home with medals!”
MoC & Paga will also organize exciting campaigns for viewers across our digital channels such as the #PagaChamps, which will encourage users to showcase their exceptional abilities across any sport or other endeavour during our coverage.
#PagaChamps Promo Campaign: Win N500,000
Click the button below to open up Instagram on your phone and access the AR filter.
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Paga Conversations – Seyi Ajayi
Our first Paga Conversations of the year is here! 🥳💃🕺
This one is with Seyi Ajayi, our Head of People Operations. Seyi would love to be a pilot for a day and describes Paga as dynamic, innovative, and enabling.
Enjoy our conversation with her!
- If you could switch your job with anyone else within Paga, whose job would you want?
- Deji Oniye’s (our head of creative design). I like to believe I would’ve done well in the creative industry. I love technology/gadgets and playing with designs – seeing my ideas come to life in pictures.
- What are three [3] words to describe Paga?
- Dynamic, innovative, and enabling.
- What have you gained from working at Paga?
- I would say I’ve honed my decision-making skills. Many people run away from this responsibility given the potential consequences of making some decisions. Paga provides an environment that allows me to make decisions without fear of negative repercussions.
- Do you have any favourite line [s] from a movie?
- Yes – Gladiator!
- My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
- Yes – Gladiator!
- Are you messy or organized?
- Organized to a fault, borderline OCD.
- Who would you like to be for a day if given a chance?
- I would love to be a pilot with an endless supply of cash! To fly around French Polynesia!
Thanks, Seyi, for this fun conversation! It was lovely to get to know you better. 🙂
Curious about what it’ll be like to work with Seyi or other folks like her? Get more details here and here!
- If you could switch your job with anyone else within Paga, whose job would you want?
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From Cash to Digital: How Paga Collect API Powers Wallet-as-a-Service in the Nigerian Marketplace
The Central Bank of Nigeria has implemented various initiatives to promote the adoption of digital payments, including the Cashless Policy and the creation of a Payment Service Banks (PSBs) framework. One of the reasons is to reduce the cost of banking services (including the cost of credit) and drive financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach. PwC reported this initiative is designed to ensure a financial inclusion rate of 95% by 2024.
In line with the implementation of this policy, which means less cash in circulation, businesses must find new ways to receive payment across Nigeria. Paga provides API solutions to help business transition to the digital era with ease. One such solution is the Paga Collect API.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the- benefits of wallet-as-a-service,
- key features, and
- how Paga Collect APIs can help businesses streamline their payment processes.
What Is Wallet-as-a-Service?
Wallet-as-a-Service (WaaS) is a type of financial service offered by companies that enable businesses to create and manage digital wallets for their customers. A digital wallet is an electronic device or online service that allows individuals to store, send, and receive payments, as well as manage their financial information.
With WaaS, businesses can integrate digital wallet functionality into their applications or websites, without the need for significant investment in technology and infrastructure. Paga will handle the technical aspects of creating and maintaining digital wallets, while the business focuses on its core activities.
Paga offers a range of features, including payment processing, security, fraud detection, and customer support.
Why Do Businesses Need In-App Wallet?
Here are 5 reasons businesses should consider building an in-app wallet:
- Faster payments: A wallet service can facilitate faster payments between customers and businesses. By using a digital wallet, customers can pay for goods and services instantly, without the need to wait for a bank transfer to clear. This can help businesses to improve cash flow and reduce the risk of late payments. As seen with the cash scarcity of early 2023, transport fares and market purchases can be made with instant verification when everyone is on the same wallet.
- Enhanced customer experience: Offering a wallet service can help businesses to enhance their customer experience. By providing a convenient and secure way for customers to pay, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and build loyalty.
- Cost savings: A wallet service can help businesses to reduce payment processing costs. For example, using a wallet service can be cheaper than using traditional payment methods, such as card payments or bank transfers.
- Increased security: A wallet’s service can provide businesses with increased security for payment transactions. Digital wallets typically use encryption and other security measures to protect sensitive data, such as credit card numbers and reduce the risk of fraud.
- Access to new markets: Offering a wallet service can help businesses to access new markets, particularly in regions where cashless payments are becoming more common. By providing a convenient and secure way to pay, businesses can expand their customer base and grow their revenue.
Use Cases for Wallet-as-a-Service
There are many ways businesses can use wallets-as-a-service to improve their payment processes.
For example,
- an e-commerce business might use a wallet to store customer payment information and quickly process transactions.
- A restaurant might use a wallet to manage its loyalty program and allow customers to quickly pay for their meals.
- A non-profit might use a wallet to process donations securely and efficiently.
- Betting apps can use a wallet to manage users’ funds for betting and other transactions. This system further enables them to add promotions, loyalty programs, rewards, and analytics.
Key Features of a Wallet-as-a-Service
Several key features are typically included in a wallet as a service. These include
- Wallet Management: It may provide tools for businesses to manage their digital wallets, including creating and managing user accounts, processing transactions, and monitoring wallet activity.
- Payment Processing: A WaaS platform provides payment processing capabilities, enabling businesses to accept a variety of payment methods, such as credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and mobile payments.
- Security: A WaaS platform includes security features to protect sensitive data, such as encryption, fraud detection, and authentication.
- Compliance: A WaaS platform ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. Paga does not do KYC for its business customers.
- Integration: A WaaS platform provides integration capabilities to connect with other systems, such as payment gateways, banking systems, and other third-party services.
- Customization: A WaaS platform allows businesses to customize the user interface and user experience of their digital wallets to align with their brand identity.
Paga Collect API Is Your Best Choice For Building In-App Wallet
If you’re looking for a fast, secure, and convenient way to collect payments from your customers, the Paga Collect API is the perfect solution. With this API, you can easily initiate payment requests to your customers and receive automatic notifications when payments are made. You can also choose to nominate a third party as the recipient of the payment, which means that you don’t have to worry about handling the payments yourself.
One of the best things about the Paga Collect API is that it supports multiple payment methods, including bank transfers, USSD, cards, and offline payments at agents. This means that your customers can choose the payment method that works best for them, making the payment process more convenient and accessible. The API is also user-friendly and easy to integrate into your existing systems.Moreover, the Paga Collect API is designed with security in mind. It uses hashing and other security features to ensure that the data being sent between the client and server is protected from tampering or alteration. This way, you can be sure that your customer’s payment information is safe and secure.
These features can help businesses to improve their payment processes by streamlining transactions, reducing errors, and providing greater control over payment activities.
We hope you found this helpful. You can always contact our Developer Marketing Team via Mail or our PagaX Developer Community. -
How Merchants Can Guide Themselves Against Chargebacks In Nigeria
Jiji is a popular classified-ad platform in Nigeria. It’s similar to the Facebook Marketplace. Merchants upload their inventory and potential buyers (window) shop. At the point of contact, users are presented with this big caveat:
“Safety Tips- Don’t pay in advance, including for delivery
- Meet the seller at a safe public place
- Inspect the item and ensure it’s exactly what you want
- On delivery, check that the item delivered is what was inspected
- Only pay when you’re satisfied“
This would put anyone in defense mode. It signifies a lack of trust in the engagement. All participants need to take steps to protect themselves.
If your business accepts payments online, or you’re simply curious about how chargebacks and refunds work, then you’ll find this simple guide useful. This article discusses what you need to know about how to reduce revenue loss to chargebacks and refunds.Outline
I. IntroductionII. Causes of Chargebacks and Refunds
III. How to Reduce Revenue Loss to Chargebacks and Refunds
Explanation Of Chargebacks And Refunds
Chargebacks and refunds are common occurrences in online transactions. As a merchant, it’s essential to know what they are, how they work, and how to avoid revenue loss from them.
A chargeback occurs when a customer disputes a transaction with their bank, and the bank initiates a refund to the customer’s account. Chargebacks can happen for several reasons, including fraud, customer dissatisfaction, and technical errors.Chargebacks can be costly for merchants, as they can result in a loss of revenue and even lead to penalties from payment processors or banks. Therefore, it’s crucial to take steps to reduce chargebacks and their associated costs.
Causes of Chargebacks and Refunds
Chargebacks and refunds can happen for various reasons, but some of the most common causes are:
- Fraudulent transactions: When a customer’s credit card is stolen or compromised, the thief may make purchases with the card. When the card owner discovers the fraudulent charges, they can request a chargeback.
- Dissatisfied customers: If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, they may request a refund or initiate a chargeback.
- Technical errors: Technical glitches during the payment process can sometimes result in duplicate charges or other errors that lead to chargebacks or refunds.
- Merchant error: Sometimes, merchants may make mistakes that result in chargebacks or refunds. For example, if a customer is overcharged, they may request a refund.
How to Reduce Revenue Loss to Chargebacks and Refunds
To prevent chargebacks and refunds, there are several measures that merchants can take:
- Implement fraud detection and prevention tools: Merchants can use various tools and services to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions, such as address verification, card verification codes, and fraud scoring systems.
- Provide excellent customer service: By providing excellent customer service, merchants can help prevent dissatisfied customers from initiating chargebacks or refunds. This includes promptly responding to customer inquiries and complaints, offering easy returns and exchanges, and resolving issues as quickly as possible.
- Use secure payment processing systems: Merchants should use secure payment processing systems that comply with industry standards, such as PCI-DSS. These systems help ensure that transactions are processed securely and that sensitive customer data is protected.
- Double-check all transactions: Merchants should double-check all transactions to ensure that they are accurate and that no mistakes were made during the payment process.
Paga is focused on helping both consumers and sellers pay, get paid, and access financial services. We do this directly; and through our Platform-as-a-Service, which enables other third parties to leverage the deep infrastructure we have built for endless possibilities.
You can rely on us to provide the safety you need.
We hope you found this helpful. You can always contact our Developer Marketing Team via Mail or join our PagaX Developer Community. -
140 Common Words Used In The Fintech Industry
The world of payments and finance can be filled with jargon and technical terms that can be confusing for newcomers. To help navigate this complex landscape, it’s important to have a basic understanding of some of the key payment terms and concepts. From electronic wallets to POS machines, here are some important (Nigerian ) payment terms to know to better understand the world of payments and finance.
This article provides a useful resource for individuals seeking to understand key terms and concepts in the finance and banking industries.Word Definition 1 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) A security process that requires users to provide two different authentication factors to access an online account or perform a transaction. 2 3D Secure A security protocol is used by some banks and payment processors to reduce the risk of fraud in online transactions. It is an additional layer of security for online card payments that require the customer to provide an additional password or authentication code. 3 Acquirer A financial institution that processes credit and debit card transactions on behalf of merchants. 4 Acquiring Bank An acquiring bank is a bank that processes credit or debit card payments on behalf of a merchant. The acquirer helps merchants accept payments from their card-holding customers 5 Agent Banking A banking model that uses authorized agents, such as supermarkets and retail shops, to provide basic financial services to customers in remote or underserved areas. 6 Aggregator An aggregator is a company that enables merchants to accept multiple payment methods through a single platform. 7 Alternative credit scoring Alternative credit scoring refers to the process of using non-traditional data sources, such as utility bills, rental payments, and social media activity, to evaluate the creditworthiness of individuals or businesses who have little or no credit history. 8 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Anti-Money Laundering (AML) refers to a set of laws, regulations, and procedures aimed at preventing criminals from disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income by transferring them through financial systems. AML regulations require financial institutions to verify the identity of their customers and report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities. 9 API Application Programming Interface 10 Asset management Asset management refers to the practice of managing and overseeing a company’s assets, including physical assets such as buildings and equipment, as well as intangible assets such as patents and trademarks. It involves monitoring asset performance, assessing risk, and implementing strategies to optimize the use and value of assets over time. 11 Authorization Authorisation is a process where a customer’s payment card is checked to ensure that they hold the necessary funds and approval to make a purchase from a merchant 12 Authorization Hold A temporary hold is placed on a customer’s funds by their bank or credit card company during the payment authorization process. The process of verifying that a customer has sufficient funds or credit to make a payment 13 Automated Billing System An Automated Billing System is a software application that automates the process of generating and sending invoices to customers. It typically includes features such as automatic invoice creation, email delivery, and online payment processing. By automating the billing process, companies can save time and reduce errors associated with manual billing processes. 14 ATM Automated Teller Machine. A machine that allows bank customers to perform basic transactions, such as withdrawals, deposits, and balance inquiries. 15 Balance A balance refers to the amount of money or assets that an individual or organization has after taking into account all their debts, liabilities, and expenses. 17 Bank Transfer Bank transfer is a payment method that allows money to be transferred electronically from one bank account to another. This can be done through various means, such as online banking, mobile banking, or wire transfer. Bank transfers are often used for transactions between individuals, businesses, and other organizations, and are a secure and reliable way to move money. 18 BVN Bank Verification Number (BVN): A unique identification number issued to bank customers in Nigeria to prevent identity theft and fraud in the banking system. 19 BaaS Banking as a Service 20 Batch Processing A method of processing payments in which multiple transactions are grouped together and processed at the same time. 21 BIN BIN (Bank Identification Number): The first six digits of a credit or debit card that identify the card issuer. 22 Biometric Authentication A security feature that uses unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to verify a user’s identity. 23 Blockchain Blockchain is a digital ledger technology that enables secure and transparent recording of transactions across a network of computers, without the need for a centralized authority. 24 Budgeting Budgeting is the process of creating a financial plan that helps individuals, businesses, or organizations to manage their income and expenses effectively, while also setting financial goals and priorities. 25 BDC Bureau De Change (BDC): A licensed operator that buys and sells foreign currencies. 26 Bursary Bursary is a financial award or grant that is provided to students by an organization, educational institution or government to help cover the cost of their education. 27 B2B Business-to-business (B2B) 28 B2C Business-to-consumer 29 BNPL Buy now, pay later 30 BVN Bank Verification Number is a biometric identification system introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria to curtail illegal banking transactions in the country. 31 CAR Capital adequacy ratio (CAR) 32 Capital markets Capital markets refer to financial markets where businesses and governments can raise funds by selling stocks, bonds, and other securities to investors. These markets allow individuals and institutions to invest in various financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, and derivatives, and provide a means of raising capital for businesses and governments. 33 Capital raising Capital raising is the process of securing funds from investors and financial institutions to finance business activities and operations. 34 Card Association These are brands that work in partnership with banks to offer payment cards to customers. A network of financial institutions that set rules and standards for credit and debit card transactions, including Visa, and Mastercard. 35 CVV Card Verification Value (CVV): A three- or four-digit number on the back or front of a credit or debit card used to verify the card’s authenticity during online transactions. 36 CRR Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The percentage of customer deposits that banks must hold as a reserve with the CBN. This is used to control the money supply in the economy. 37 Cashless Policy A policy aimed at reducing the amount of physical cash in circulation and promoting electronic payment channels to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and curb corruption. 38 Cashback Cashback refers to a reward or incentive program offered by merchants or credit card companies, whereby a percentage of the amount spent on purchases is returned to the customer in the form of cash. 39 CBN CBN (CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA) The Central Bank of Nigeria is the apex monetary authority of Nigeria 40 Challenger bank Challenger bank refers to a type of financial institution that competes with traditional banks by offering innovative and technologically advanced financial products and services. 41 Chargeback A process in which a customer disputes a transaction and the funds are returned to the customer. 42 Chargeback Fee
Chargeback Fee: A fee charged to the merchant by the card issuer for the processing of a chargeback.43 Collateral Collateral refers to a valuable asset or property that is pledged by a borrower to a lender as security for a loan or credit. 44 Commission Commission is a fee paid by an entity to an agent for facilitating a transaction or sale. If you vend bills on Page Business API, you get commissions. 45 Compliance Compliance in finance refers to the process of ensuring that a financial institution or individual adheres to the laws, regulations, and standards that govern the financial industry. This includes measures to prevent money laundering, fraud, and other illegal activities, as well as ensuring the accuracy and transparency of financial reporting. Compliance is essential for maintaining the integrity of the financial system and protecting the interests of investors and the public. 46 CaaS Compliance as a Service (CaaS) 47 Consumer credit Consumer credit refers to any form of credit extended to individuals for personal, family or household purposes, such as credit cards, personal loans, and student loans. It is usually subject to interest and other charges, and is typically provided by banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. 48 Consumer financing Consumer financing refers to loans or credit offered to individual consumers to finance purchases such as household appliances, vehicles, or home renovations. 49 Contactless Payment Contactless Payment: A payment method that allows customers to make payments using a contactless card or mobile device, without the need for physical contact with the payment terminal. Like Patronize Paypoint. 50 Corporate finance Consumer financing refers to loans or credit that individuals can use to purchase goods or services, such as a car, home appliances, or other consumer products. It can be offered by banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions, and can come in the form of installment loans, revolving credit, or other financing options. Consumer financing can be secured or unsecured, and typically involves a credit check and underwriting process to determine the borrower’s creditworthiness and ability to repay the loan. 51 Credit bureau
A credit bureau is an organization that collects and maintains credit information on individuals and businesses from various sources, such as banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions, and provides this information to lenders, creditors, and other authorized parties for credit evaluation purposes.52 Credit Card A payment card that enables customers to borrow money from a financial institution to make purchases and pay it back at a later date. 53 CRB Credit Reference Bureau (CRB). A licensed organization that collects and maintains credit information on individuals and businesses, which can be accessed by lenders to assess creditworthiness. 54 Credit risk Credit risk refers to the likelihood that a borrower will default on a loan or fail to make payments on time, resulting in potential losses for the lender. It is a key consideration for financial institutions and is often assessed through credit scoring and other risk management techniques. 55 Credit score Credit score is a numerical expression of a person’s creditworthiness, based on an analysis of their credit files and other relevant data, used by lenders to assess the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debts. 56 Cross-border Payment A payment that is processed across international borders, often involving currency exchange and compliance with international regulations. Like Lemonade Finance. 57 Crypto Currency A digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank. 58 Customer acquisition Customer acquisition refers to the process of acquiring new customers for a business, typically through marketing and advertising efforts. 59 CDD Customer due diligence (CDD) 60 CX Customer experience (CX) 61 Customer onboarding Customer onboarding is the process of guiding customers through the steps necessary to begin using a company’s product or service. It typically involves a combination of education, training, and support to help new customers understand how to use a product or service effectively. The goal of customer onboarding is to create a positive experience for customers and help them achieve their desired outcomes with the product or service. 62 CRM Customer relationship management. 63 Customer service Customer service is the process of providing assistance and support to customers before, during, and after the purchase of a product or service to ensure their satisfaction and loyalty. 64 Data breach A data breach refers to a security incident in which sensitive or confidential information is accessed, disclosed, or stolen by an unauthorized individual or entity. 65 Debit card A payment card that deducts funds directly from the cardholder’s bank account to pay for purchases. 66 Debt collection Debt collection refers to the process of pursuing payment of debts that are owed by individuals or businesses. This typically involves contacting debtors, negotiating payment arrangements, and possibly taking legal action to recover the debt. 67 Debt consolidation Debt consolidation is the process of combining multiple debts into a single loan or repayment plan, typically with a lower interest rate or smaller monthly payments, to make it easier for the debtor to manage their finances and pay off their debts. 68 Debt financing Debt financing refers to the process of borrowing funds from a lender, such as a bank, to finance business operations or personal expenses. The borrower agrees to repay the borrowed amount along with interest over a period of time, which is usually specified in the loan agreement. Debt financing is a common way to raise capital for businesses and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as expanding operations, purchasing assets, or financing new projects. 69 Digital banking Digital banking refers to the use of digital technology to provide banking services to customers, including mobile banking, online banking, and other digital channels. Digital banking allows customers to access banking services from anywhere, at any time, and often includes features such as online account opening, bill payment, and money transfers. It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its convenience and accessibility, and many traditional banks have expanded their digital offerings to keep up with the trend. 70 Digital currency A form of currency that exists only in digital forms, such as Bitcoin or eNaira. eNaira is a Central Bank of Nigeria-issued digital currency that provides a unique form of money denominated in Naira. 71 Digital identity Digital identity refers to the unique representation of a person or entity in the digital world. It encompasses personal information such as name, date of birth, address, and other identifying details that enable individuals to access various digital services and conduct online transactions. A digital identity is essential for secure online interactions and is used for authentication and authorization processes. It is becoming increasingly important in today’s digital age, with more services and transactions moving online. 72 Digital insurance Digital insurance refers to the use of digital technologies to facilitate the purchase and management of insurance policies, as well as the processing of claims. It involves leveraging tools such as mobile apps, online portals, and artificial intelligence to make insurance more accessible, efficient, and personalized for customers. Digital insurance providers may also offer innovative products such as usage-based insurance, which adjusts premiums based on factors such as driving behavior or health data. 73 Digital lending Digital lending is the use of online technology to provide loans to borrowers without the need for traditional financial intermediaries such as banks or credit unions. It involves the use of digital platforms to streamline the loan application and approval process, which typically results in faster funding and lower costs for borrowers. Digital lenders use various data sources to underwrite loans and assess creditworthiness, including credit scores, income and expense data, and social media and online activity. Examples of digital lending platforms include peer-to-peer lenders, online small business lenders, and payday lenders. 74 Digital payments Digital payments refer to the transactions made using digital methods, such as mobile wallets, online bank transfers, credit or debit cards, and other electronic payment systems. The use of digital payments has increased rapidly in recent years due to the convenience, speed, and security they offer compared to traditional cash-based payments. Digital payments are transforming the way businesses and consumers transact, making it easier and faster to send and receive payments across the world. 75 Digital Wallet A virtual wallet that stores payment information and can be used to make online or in-person transactions. Check out the Paga App. 76 Direct Debit A payment method that allows merchants to automatically deduct funds from a customer’s bank account for recurring bills, subscriptions, or other regular payments. 77 E-Bills Payment An electronic payment platform that enables consumers to pay bills, such as utility bills, taxes, and fees, through online or mobile channels. Check out the Paga App. And see Paga Business APIs for endpoints to integrate bill payments for your users. 78 EFT Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The electronic transfer of funds from one bank account to another is often used for salary payments, bill payments, and online purchases. In Nigeria, these may go through NIBSS. 79 Encryption Encryption is the process of concealing data such that only authorized parties can have access to it. Like the hashing technique used on the Paga APIs. 80 Endpoint security Endpoint security refers to the practice of securing access points, or endpoints, where devices connect to a network, such as laptops, smartphones, or servers, to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, or cyber-attacks. It involves a range of technologies and strategies, including firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion detection systems, and user behavior analytics, to protect endpoints from various threats and vulnerabilities. 81 Financial Inclusion Financial Inclusion. The CBN’s initiative to ensure that all Nigerians have access to formal financial services. 82 Fintech Financial technology 83 Fixed Deposit Fixed Deposit, also known as a term deposit, is a type of investment account where money is deposited for a fixed period of time and earns a fixed rate of interest. 84 Forex Foreign Exchange (Forex): The conversion of one currency into another for the purpose of international trade and investment. 85 Fraud detection Fraud detection is the process of identifying and preventing fraudulent activities before they cause harm or loss to individuals, businesses, or organizations. This can involve the use of various techniques such as data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to identify patterns and anomalies in financial transactions and behavior. 86 Guaranteed funds Guaranteed funds refer to investments or financial products with a low risk of losing money, where the principal amount invested is typically protected by a guarantee provided by the issuer or a third party. 87 Identity verification Identity verification is the process of authenticating the identity of an individual or entity. This is typically done using personal information such as name, date of birth, and government-issued identification documents. The purpose of identity verification is to prevent fraud and ensure that individuals and entities are who they claim to be. 88 Import and Export Guidelines Regulations issued by the CBN govern the import and export of goods and services. 89 ISS Interbank Settlement System (ISS) 90 Interbank Transfer A transfer of funds between banks often involves transactions between different financial institutions. 91 Interchange Fee A fee is charged by the card issuer to the merchant for processing a credit or debit card transaction. 92 Issuer A bank or financial institution that issues credit and debit cards to customers. 93 ISSUING BANK This is the bank that issues payment cards to the customer. 94 KYC Know Your Customer (KYC). The process of verifying the identity of customers and assessing their potential risks in relation to financial transactions, as required by regulatory agencies to prevent fraud and money laundering. 95 Liquidity Ratio The minimum percentage of a bank’s assets must be held in cash or other easily liquidated assets. 96 Merchant A merchant is a person or entity that sells goods or services to customers in exchange for payment. In the context of finance and banking, a merchant may refer to a business that accepts electronic payments through credit cards, debit cards, or other payment methods. 97 Merchant Account A merchant account is a type of bank account that allows businesses to accept payments through debit or credit card transactions. It acts as an intermediary between the business owner and the acquiring bank, facilitating the transfer of funds from the customer’s bank to the business owner’s bank account. 98 Merchant Acquirer A merchant acquirer is a financial institution that processes debit or credit card payments on behalf of a merchant. The acquirer is responsible for receiving the payment information from the merchant’s bank and transmitting the funds to the cardholder’s bank. Additionally, the acquirer may provide other services to merchants, such as payment gateway and fraud prevention solutions. 99 MCC Merchant Category Code (MCC). A four-digit code assigned to merchants by payment card networks is used to classify businesses according to the type of goods or services they offer. 100 MSC Merchant Service Charge (MSC). A fee charged by banks to merchants for accepting payments through their payment channels, such as POS terminals and payment gateways. 101 mPOS Mobile Point-of-Sale (mPOS). A portable device that enables merchants to accept credit and debit card payments on the go. 102 Mobile Wallet A digital wallet that allows users to store payment information and make purchases using a mobile device. See Paga App. 103 Monetary Policy The actions taken by the CBN to regulate the money supply, interest rates, and credit availability in the economy. 104 NIBOR Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR). The interest rate at which Nigerian banks offer to lend funds to one another in the interbank market. 105 NIBSS Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). A financial infrastructure provider that operates the national payment system of Nigeria. 106 NPL Non-Performing Loan (NPL): A loan that is in default or has not been paid back according to the terms of the loan agreement. 107 NUBAN NUBAN (Nigeria Uniform Bank Account Number): A 10-digit bank account numbering system used in Nigeria to standardize account numbers and facilitate electronic payments. Paga APIs offers Dynamic NUBAN Accounts. 108 OTP One-Time Password (OTP). A security feature that provides a unique, time-limited code to authenticate a user’s identity during a transaction. 109 Open Banking A system that allows third-party financial service providers to access financial data and services from banks through the use of APIs, with the aim of improving competition, innovation, and customer experience. 110 OMO Open Market Operations (OMO). The buying and selling of government securities by the CBN to control the money supply in the economy. 111 Payment Aggregator A company that collects payments on behalf of merchants and distributes the funds to the merchant’s accounts. 112 PCI DSS Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): A set of security standards established by major card brands to protect against credit card fraud. 113 Payment Card A physical or virtual card used by customers to make payments. 114 Payment Gateway A service that connects merchants to the acquiring bank and enables the processing of online payments. See Paga APIs. 115 Payment Link A secure online link that allows customers to make payments without the need for a physical card reader. See Paga Request Money. 116 Payment Processor A company that facilitates the processing of electronic payments for merchants. 117 Payment Reconciliation The process of comparing and matching payment transactions with corresponding orders or invoices to ensure accurate accounting and reporting. 118 PSB Payment Service Bank (PSB). A type of bank licensed by the CBN to provide basic financial services, such as deposits, withdrawals, payments, and remittances, to individuals and small businesses. 119 Payment System Operator A company that operates a payment system, such as a card network or electronic funds transfer system. 120 Payment System The set of rules, procedures, and technical infrastructure used by financial institutions to facilitate the exchange of funds between individuals, businesses, and governments. 121 Payment Terminal A hardware device used by merchants to process payments, including POS terminals and mobile card readers. 122 Payment The transfer of money or value from one party to another in exchange for goods or services. 123 PCI DSS PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): A set of security standards developed by major credit card companies to ensure that merchants and payment processors handle credit card data securely. 124 PCI SSC PCI SSC (PAYMENT CARD INDUSTRY SECURITY STANDARDS COUNCIL) PCI SSC is a council created by the major Card Associations to ensure that security standards and regulations required of players in the online payments space are met 125 P2P Peer-to-peer (P2P) 126 PIN Personal Identification Number (PIN) 127 POS Point of Sale (POS) Terminal: A device used by merchants to process card payments from customers, usually through debit or credit cards. Like Paga POS. 128 PSP PSP (PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDER) A PSP helps businesses accept electronic payments from their customers online. Paga is an example of a PSP. 129 Recurring Payment A payment that is charged on a regular basis, such as a subscription or membership fee. 130 Refund The process of returning funds to a customer after payment has been authorized. 131 Remita A payment platform developed by SystemSpecs Limited that allows individuals and organizations to make and receive payments across multiple channels, including banks, mobile wallets, and cards. 132 QR Quick Response (QR) code 133 Remittance A transfer of money from one location or country to another, often involving sending money to family or friends. 134 Settlement The process of transferring funds from the acquiring bank to the merchant’s bank account after a successful payment transaction. 135 Settlement Bank The bank that holds the funds for the merchant after a payment transaction has been settled. 136 Subscription Billing A payment model in which customers are charged on a recurring basis for goods or services. 137 Swift Code An international bank code used to identify banks and financial institutions in international transactions. 138 Switching Company A company that facilitates the interconnection and interoperability of payment systems between different banks and payment processors, allowing for seamless payment transactions across different platforms. 139 Tokenization A process that replaces sensitive payment information, such as credit card numbers, with a unique identifier, or token, to protect against fraud. 140 Treasury Bills Short-term government securities issued by the CBN to raise funds to finance government expenditures. 141 TSA Treasury Single Account (TSA): A unified structure of government bank accounts enabling consolidation and optimum utilization of government cash resources. We are committed to keeping this list of payment terms current and relevant. As we discover new terms, we will update the article accordingly. We encourage you to revisit the article periodically to stay informed and up-to-date on the latest payment terminology.
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How To Request Payment With Paga Collect API
Paga provides digital payment and financial services to businesses and individuals. If you’re looking to integrate with Paga, webhooks can be used to receive notifications about events that occur within the Paga platform, such as payments and transactions.
6 Steps To Use Paga’s API With Webhook
- Create a beta Paga Business Account and get your API Keys
- Set up your own webhook server (where Paga will be pinging)
- Whitelist Paga’s IP address
- Initiate events to test the webhooks for request-payment in the Paga Collect API
- Test your environment
- Create a live Paga Business Account and switch your API keys
How Paga Uses Webhooks To Improve Your Integration
See This Video For API Call Demonstrations With Paga APIs, you can set up webhooks to receive real-time notifications about specific events, such as when a payment is completed or a transaction fails.
To set up a webhook, you’ll need to provide Paga with a URL endpoint that will be called whenever the event you’re interested in occurs.
Once you have set up the webhook, Paga will send a POST request to the specified URL endpoint whenever the relevant event occurs. The request will contain a JSON payload that includes information about the event, such as the status of the transaction, the transaction ID, and other relevant details.
In your application, you’ll need to write code to handle the incoming webhook requests and process the information in the payload. This could involve updating your database, sending notifications to your users, or triggering other actions based on the information received in the webhook.
Here is a sample Node.js code for calling the requestPayment enpoint:
var https = require('follow-redirects').https; var fs = require('fs'); var options = { 'method': 'POST', 'hostname': 'beta-collect.paga.com', 'path': '/paymentRequest', 'headers': { 'hash': ' {{hashedData}}', 'Authorization': 'Basic OTNEQUNCMUMtOTFEQy00QkY3LTkzNzktNEY3ODVDNUU0QzhGOnlOOEBxZVpadjdCNEdCYg==', 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, 'maxRedirects': 20 }; var req = https.request(options, function (res) { var chunks = []; res.on("data", function (chunk) { chunks.push(chunk); }); res.on("end", function (chunk) { var body = Buffer.concat(chunks); console.log(body.toString()); }); res.on("error", function (error) { console.error(error); }); }); var postData = JSON.stringify({ "referenceNumber": "0057543919876", "amount": "700000", "currency": "NGN", "payer": { "name": "Phem Phem", "phoneNumber": "08064493187", "email": "89657c84-9dea-4799-8352-fe48acb4881c@email.webhook.site" }, "payee": { "name": "Topnecks Nigeria Limited", "phoneNumber": "08022222222" }, "expiryDateTimeUTC": "2023-10-30T00:00:00", "isSuppressMessages": false, "payerCollectionFeeShare": 1, "payeeCollectionFeeShare": 0, "isAllowPartialPayments": false, "isAllowOverPayments": false, "callBackUrl": "https://webhook.site/89657c84-9dea-4799-8352-fe48acb4881c", "paymentMethods": [ "BANK_TRANSFER", "FUNDING_USSD", "REQUEST_MONEY" ], "displayBankDetailToPayer": false }); req.write(postData); req.end();
Here is a sample Node.js Express Framework code listening for when event is triggered:
In this example, a Node application is set up with a single endpoint, /webhook, the callBackUrl in our post request, which accepts POST requests. When a webhook is triggered, the payload sent to the URL is passed to the callback function in the app.post method, which can then process the data and return a response.
We hope you found this helpful. You can always contact our Developer Marketing Team via Mail or join our PagaX Developer Community.
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What Is A Webhook?
Imagine a shop that has just opened in your area; The Marvelous Coffee. In the beginning, the seats are empty, so they serve you immediately. They get more visitors as their service becomes popular. Now, you have to queue. This queue increases in the following months so you may wait hours before getting served. The shop starts losing customers so they decide each person in the queue will get a number. You can continue your daily business and they will call you when it’s your turn. This action of calling when it’s your turn and you going back to make a purchase describes a simplified webhook.
This article is a guide to the world of webhooks. We will introduce the concepts and discuss how Paga uses webhooks to improve your integration and developer experience.
Outline
- Analogy
- Definition and explanation of webhooks
- Benefits of using webhooks
- How webhooks work
- Anatomy of a webhook request
- Handling webhook failures and errors
- What Are Common Issues With Webhooks?
- Logging and monitoring webhook requests and responses
- What Are Alternatives To Webhooks?
What Are Webhooks?
Webhooks allow developers to build real-time, event-driven systems that can respond to changes in data, user actions, and other events in near real time.
Webhooks are a way for applications to send automated messages or data to other applications, usually over the internet. They work by setting up a URL that is triggered by an event in the first application. When that event occurs, the first application sends a message, or payload, to the URL specified, which is typically handled by a server-side script in the second application.
For example, if you run an e-commerce store, and a buyer makes payment, you may want to update the buyer with an invoice and receipt when the seller confirms the payment.
Benefits of Webhooks
Here are 4 several benefits of integrating webhook:
- Near-real-time notifications: Webhooks allow for instant notifications when an event occurs, making it possible to take action in near-real-time.
- Reduced polling and processing overhead: With webhooks, the receiving application only needs to process data when an event occurs, rather than continuously polling for new data.
- Improved performance: By reducing the number of requests and processing required, webhooks can help improve the overall performance of an application.
- Better reliability: Webhooks can help improve the reliability of an application by reducing the likelihood of missed events or data.
Consider a scenario where your bank has a service that tracks the status of its website, and they want to receive a message in Slack when anything goes down. In this case, they can set up a webhook from the website monitoring service to Slack, which will trigger a message in Slack whenever the website goes down. For context, all of Paga’s services are 99.9% operational for the past 90 days. But when any of the services are down, we have alerting mechanisms in place.
How Do Webhooks Work?
Here are the steps to create and use a webhook:
- Define an endpoint: Choose a URL path on your server where the webhook should send its data. This endpoint should be accessible from the public internet.
- Create a webhook listener: Write a server-side script that listens for incoming HTTP requests at the defined endpoint. The script should be able to parse the incoming data and perform some action in response to the incoming data.
- Deploy the webhook listener: Deploy the webhook listener to a hosting service, such as Heroku or AWS, so that it can be reached by the webhook.
- Configure the webhook: In the service or application that you want to receive notifications from, find the option to configure a webhook.
- Test the webhook: Trigger an event in the service or application that should trigger the webhook, and verify that the webhook listener receives the expected data.
- Monitor the webhook: Set up monitoring and logging to ensure that you are notified if the webhook stops working, or if there are errors in the incoming data.
Webhooks can be implemented using a variety of protocols and data formats, including JSON, XML, and even simple HTTP requests. The choice of protocol and format will depend on the specific use case and the requirements of the application.
Common Issues With Webhook?
Let’s discuss 3 common issues with webhooks and the tools you can use to troubleshoot them.
- Network connectivity issues
Webhooks rely on network connectivity to function, so one of the most common issues that can arise is a failure to connect to the webhook endpoint. This can be caused by issues with the network itself, such as a firewall blocking the webhook requests, or issues with the endpoint server, such as it being down or misconfigured.
Tools to help troubleshoot network connectivity issues include:
- Ping: This tool can help you check if a server is reachable over the network.
- traceroute: This tool can help you trace the network path between your machine and the webhook endpoint, and identify any issues along the way.
- Wireshark: This tool can help you inspect the network traffic between your machine and the webhook endpoint, and identify any issues with the communication.
- Authorization issues
Webhooks often require authorization to function properly, such as providing an API key or access token. Authorization issues can prevent the webhook from working as expected, such as the webhook requests being rejected due to an invalid key.
Tools to help troubleshoot authorization issues include:
- Postman: This tool can help you test your webhook requests with different authorization headers or tokens to see if they are being properly authorized.
- cURL: This command-line tool can help you send test webhook requests with different authorization headers or tokens, and inspect the response to see if they are being properly authorized.
- OAuth 2.0 Playground: This web-based tool can help you test OAuth 2.0 authorization flows, and debug any issues with the flow.
- Payload issues
Webhooks often require a specific payload format to function properly, and issues with the payload can prevent the webhook from working as expected. This can include issues with the data being sent, such as missing or invalid fields, or issues with the payload format itself.
Tools to help troubleshoot payload issues include:
- JSONLint: This tool can help you validate the syntax of JSON payloads and identify any errors or issues.
- XMLLint: This tool can help you validate the syntax of XML payloads and identify any errors or issues.
- Postman: This tool can help you send test webhook requests with different payloads and inspect the response to see if they are being properly parsed and processed.
Other popular tools that may come in handy in troubleshooting webhooks are;
- Webhook.site is a popular tool that allows you to create temporary webhook endpoints for testing and debugging purposes.
- RequestBin: RequestBin is a simple service that allows you to create temporary webhook endpoints for testing purposes. When a webhook request is sent to the RequestBin endpoint, it will display the contents of the payload in a web interface, making it easy to inspect and debug.
- ngrok: ngrok is a tool that allows you to expose your local server to the internet, making it possible to test webhooks on your local development environment. With ngrok, you can create a temporary public URL for your webhook endpoint, and then send test requests to that URL to see how your server responds.
- Beeceptor: Beeceptor is a free tool that allows you to create mock endpoints to simulate webhook requests and responses. With Beeceptor, you can create custom request and response structures, set up different scenarios to simulate different webhook scenarios, and use it to test your application’s webhook integrations.
- Zapier: Zapier is a popular integration platform that allows you to connect different apps and services together using webhooks. Zapier provides a webhook testing tool that allows you to send test requests to your webhook endpoint and inspect the results.
What Are Alternatives To Webhooks?
Webhooks are not always the best solution for every use case. If webhooks don’t fit your requirements, here are some alternative approaches you could consider:
- Polling: Polling is the process of periodically checking a data source for updates. This is a common alternative to webhooks when near real-time updates are not required. However, it can result in a lot of wasted resources and data transfer, as the server constantly checks for new data.
- Push Notifications: Push notifications are a way for applications to deliver messages to users’ devices. This can be used as an alternative to webhooks in certain use cases, such as delivering updates to a mobile app. However, push notifications may not be appropriate for all types of applications.
- Pub/Sub: Pub/Sub (publish/subscribe) is a messaging pattern where publishers send messages to a topic, and subscribers receive messages from the topic. This approach can be used as an alternative to webhooks when multiple applications need to receive updates. However, it can be more complex to set up and manage than webhooks.
- WebSockets: WebSockets are a way to enable real-time, two-way communication between a client and a server. This approach can be used as an alternative to webhooks when real-time updates are required. However, it can be more complex to set up and manage than webhooks and requires a persistent connection between the client and server.
- Event-Driven Architecture: Event-driven architecture is an approach to software design that emphasizes the use of events to trigger application logic. This approach can be used as an alternative to webhooks when multiple applications need to respond to events. However, it can be more complex to implement and requires careful design to ensure scalability and reliability.
We hope you found this helpful.
You can always contact our Developer Marketing Team via Mail or join our PagaX Developer Community. -
HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF FINANCIAL FRAUD
Introduction
Perhaps more important than the idea of making money, is the idea that the money in question is safe at all times. Nobody will put money in a system that refuses to provide any measures to keep their finances secure. To this day, there are people from older generations who hide their money at home because, for some reason, they do not trust banks. But this just goes to show the lengths to which people love to keep watchful eyes over their hard-earned cash.
For a financial services or payment solutions provider to stand out from the competition, it must reassure its customer base of the safety and security of its platforms. It is not enough that transactions are conducted speedily and conveniently; users need to know that their finances are water-tight secure, or that at the very least, the risk of leakages or fraud is significantly low.
Fraud As The Bane Of Financial Transactions In Nigeria
Nigeria has made significant progress in the journey to becoming a cashless society, and a lot of people now conduct financial transactions from their smartphones rather than put money in large bags. Sadly, however, this has not come without its drawbacks. Online fraud is on the increase, with hackers and fraudsters coming up with new techniques every day to fleece people of their earnings.
On social media, it’s commonplace to see a Nigerian narrate how their savings got wiped out as a result of one fraudulent transaction, either because a hacker gained access to their account details, or because their smartphone was stolen and their passwords unlocked. Whatever the case,it is always sad to hear that individuals or businesses have been fraudulently dispossessed of their hard-earned financials.
How To Avoid Falling Victim To Financial Fraud
Anyone can become a victim of fraud, but if the right precautions are taken, the chances of that happening are slim to none. Here are a few ways to minimize the risk of exposure to fraud:
1. Scrutinise email links before clicking: Another technique scammers might use to get your account information is phishing. It’s a very popular and effective way to hack someone by using carefully crafted emails. They will usually offer you discounts or offers that are too hard to resist. Before you click on any email link, be sure of who the sender is, where the link leads to, and the nature of the information required of you.
2. Never use Public WiFi to make online purchases: Public Wi-Fi is the perfect place for scammers and hackers to do their work. These networks feature poor security and can be scanned by hackers looking for weak connections. Public computers are also highly insecure.
3. Never divulge your banking details, or give any personal information to callers, whoever they claim to be. Banks and banking staff will never ask you for your password, pin or such other sensitive data over the phone or even by email.
4. Never give your online banking login details to anyone, irrespective of who they claim to be. Banks will never ask you to move money to another account.
5. If for any reason, your ATM card or smartphone goes missing or is stolen, head to the nearest branch of your bank and request that restrictions be placed on your account immediately. This is to eliminate the risk of having your account cleared out by anyone who may have gained access to confidential data.
How Paga Provides Security To Its Large Customer Base
Paga is easily Nigeria’s most trusted e-wallet. It acts as a mobile wallet where any user equipped with a mobile device can conduct financial transactions. It is easy to use, it is secure, and transactions are conducted speedily.
You can fund your Paga e-wallet in either of the following ways:
1. Transfer from a bank account directly to your Paga account. To do this:
- Log in to your internet banking
- Select “transfer to other banks”
- Insert your account number
- Select “Paga” as the beneficiary bank
- Input amount
- Fill in the required field on the transfer page
- Input your PIN and complete your transfer.
2. You can visit mypaga.com and deposit money into your Paga account from your ATM card. To do this:
- Click on “wallet” under My Paga
- Click on “add cash”
- Enter amount
- Select card as a payment option, then click on the deposit tab that will appear below
- Enter your card number, the expiry date of the card, and the CVV at the back of the card.
- Input your PIN, click “deposit” and follow the instructions to fund your wallet
3. Visit any Paga-accredited agent to fund your wallet.
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Making Life Possible for Flood Victims in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that in 2022 severe floods impacted more than 4.4 million people in Nigeria. Over 2.4 million people have been evacuated due to the floods. There have been more than 660 fatalities. The devastating floods have rendered 174,000 homes uninhabitable as well. The floods may increase the nation’s already dismal levels of hunger and malnutrition because they have ruined more than 676,000 hectares of crops during the harvest season. Bayelsa State is one of the badly hit states in Nigeria, so as an organization, we decided to make life possible for about 500 families.
Last year’s Christmas holiday season was a time for giving and spreading joy, and we used the opportunity to do just that for flood victims in Bayelsa State. The floods that have ravaged the state in recent months have caused immense hardship for thousands of families, with many losing their homes, livelihoods, and even loved ones.
We believe in the power of community and coming together to make a difference which is why we partnered with Hilarity Grace Foundation, a Bayelsa based Nonprofit to carryout a CSR project to provide assistance to about 500 families in Edepie and Igbogene communities in Bayelsa.
We distributed essential items such as food, and household goods to these families, to help them get back on their feet. Even though it was heart-wrenching to see the devastation that the floods had caused, it was also incredibly rewarding to be able to make a difference in the lives of these families, no matter how little our help was.
At Paga, we are committed to making life possible for those in need and we will continue to support and empower communities affected by natural disasters, hunger and poverty.
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JAPA SEASON: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE MAKING THE BIG MOVE
Introduction
Migration has always been a common feature in human existence. For those who believe in organised religion, the holy books have it on record that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all had to move from their birthplaces at some point. The history of ancient civilizations also features a lot of migration stories: entire countries came to being simply because a set of people decided to move from their comfort zone and find new settlements.People make the decision to migrate for a myriad of reasons. Some do it to escape economic hardship and seek out a better quality of life for themselves, others choose to “japa” so they can escape political persecution (especially in countries where human rights are constantly violated), and there are those who simply want to experience life elsewhere and decide to embark on a new adventure.
Nigeria Has Been Heavily Hit By The “Japa” Wave
In the past few years, many Nigerians have made the bold decision to leave their home country and start new lives in an entirely different continent. Every other day, social media is replete with photos of Nigerians at the arrival lounges of airports in other countries. Enthusiastically, they upload photos of themselves dressed in winter jackets, clutching one or two travel bags, complete with the caption “New Dispensation.”
People are choosing to “japa” these days because of the grim socioeconomic conditions that are currently bedevilling Nigeria. The value of the Naira continues to plummet, unemployment is at an all-time high, power supply keeps fluctuating, companies are folding up as the business terrain becomes untenable, and the entire country is plagued by insecurity.
A good number of Nigerians, especially those within the 21-50 age bracket, try to leave the country via several pathways, legal or otherwise. Some people successfully apply to jobs abroad that sponsor their visas, while others depart Nigeria via the education route. In August, September, December and January of every year, visa processing centres have their hands full as young Nigerians seek to take their respective leaps of faith, hoping to find a lot more than Nigeria currently has to offer.
However, it’s not always sweetness and light for those who choose to migrate. The grass usually looks greener, but people fail to notice the thorns in between. Young Nigerians have shared sad stories of how they sold all their property, based on false promises of a job abroad, only to find that they had been conned. Some have had to make public appeals on social media to help raise the balance for their tuition, realizing that their admission could be at risk. In recent weeks, photos have also surfaced of Nigerians sleeping at public libraries, airports and train stations, owing to a lack of sufficient accommodationFive Things To Know Before Moving Abroad
It’s hard enough to migrate, as there’s a lot of financial and emotional investment involved, but it’s a lot more difficult when it’s done without adequate preparation. Few things are worse than being stranded in a new country, with nowhere and no one to turn to. To avoid such a dire situation, here are five things to consider before you japa:- Understand Visa Requirements: Most countries require specific visas to live, work and/or study there. In selecting your destination country, it would be helpful to log on to that country’s immigration website, read through the visa requirements, determine whether you are eligible, and work towards putting things in place if you are not.
- Figure Out Expenses: If you are looking to study abroad, it’s important to research on the school you’re applying to. You need to find out the cost of tuition fees, as well as the cost of living in the city where the institution is located. That way, you get to know whether you have to apply for a scholarship to aid funding, or apply to another college altogether. This is to avoid a situation where you struggle with payments and ultimately have your admission withdrawn.
- Create A Budget: Before moving abroad, you need to have some savings stashed away: it is dangerous to travel without any sort of financial backup, especially when you consider exchange rates. It could also take longer than expected to get a job, so you need some money to hold on to until you land your first gig. The cost of living varies with each city, so you may want to move to a smaller town until you can afford to live in the more urbanized areas.
- Know what to travel with: Many people make the big mistake of entering a new country with items that they do not need, and that they may end up having to throw away. To avoid this, make enquiries: ask your friends who live there, or consult the internet for answers via Google, Twitter or Quora. If you are not open to trying out the cuisines of the new country, go with as many local food items as you can. Endeavour to buy the kind of clothes that would serve you as you battle with a
different weather from what you are used to. - Learn About health Guidelines: For some countries, you would have to present a number of medical certificates during the visa application process, such as COVID 19 test results and tuberculosis clearance certificates. Carefully search out the requirements that each country demands, so that you save time and money in trying to secure your visa.
How Paga Aids You As You Navigate Your “Japa” Process
Paga, Nigeria’s leading payment solutions provider, allows users to transfer money electronically and make payments through their mobile devices. It acts as a mobile wallet, with which anyone who has an internet-enabled phone can conduct financial transactions.
Paga allows you to purchase prepaid airtime, and pay for subscription services as well as internet bundles. You can sort out your internet subscription with Paga’s smooth bill payment service.
Opening a Paga account is pretty easy. To get started, click here to download.
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Getting Started With APIs
Introduction
APIs enable communication between devices across the world. It is why Uber can show real-time traffic updates using Google Maps. It is also the reason you can send payment through multiple channels across the nation made possible by Paga.In this article, we will discuss how devices communicate through APIs.
Table Of Content
- Introduction
- What is an API?
- How do APIs work?
- Working with an API
What Is An API?
An API ( Application Programming Interface ) is a collection of features that details data interaction between applications. The 2 important parts are the services being provided and the protocol needed to access these services. APIs are needed anytime devices communicate. On the web, APIs are used to request or send data to any platform that supports it.
APIs are extendable. Businesses can build solutions on the Paga API to reach their own customers. For example, you can buy food on the FoodCourt App and select ThePeer as your payment choice who can debit your Paga account.
How do APIs work?
There are several API protocols. We will focus on the most popular protocol termed RESTful APIs.
A RESTful API is an architectural style for building APIs that follows a set of guidelines for creating HTTP services that are flexible, scalable, and easy to maintain. Paga APIs are built using this protocol.
Consuming RESTful APIs is a common task for modern software development.
Here’s a guide on how to consume RESTful APIs:
- Identify the API endpoint(s) you want to access.
RESTful APIs typically expose a set of endpoints that allow you to perform various actions, such as retrieving data, creating new resources, updating existing resources, and deleting resources.
With the Paga Collect API, you can manage persistent accounts for your users. For example, if you run a logistics business, you can create a wallet for your users and debit them as they use your services.
2. Determine the HTTP method required by the endpoint.
Each endpoint may require a different HTTP method, such as GET, POST, PUT, or DELETE. It’s important to understand which method is required for each endpoint, as using the wrong method can result in an error.
In our Paga Connect API, the HTTP methods are written before the different endpoints. This make it easy to identify and use to the right endpoint.
3. Set up your development environment.
In order to consume an API, you’ll need to have a development environment set up with the necessary tools and libraries. This may include a programming language, such as Python or JavaScript, and tools like Postman or Curl.
Postman offers a marketplace for apis.4. Make an HTTP request.
There are several ways to make HTTP requests in your programming language of choice. For example, you can use the XMLHttpRequest object in JavaScript, the requests library in Python, or a third-party library such as axios or superagent.
5. Configure the request.
Depending on the endpoint and HTTP method you’re using, you may need to set the request URL, headers, and body data. For example, if you’re making a POST request to create a new resource, you’ll need to include the data for the resource in the request body.
6. Send the request and handle the response.
Once you’ve configured the request, you can send it using the send() method or equivalent. The API will then return a response, which may include data, a status code, and any relevant headers. You can use the methods provided by your programming language or library to access the response data and handle any errors that may occur.
7. Consider caching and pagination.
Depending on the size and complexity of the API, you may want to consider implementing caching or pagination in order to improve performance and reduce the load on the server. Caching allows you to store frequently accessed data locally, while pagination allows you to retrieve data in smaller chunks, reducing the amount of data transferred with each request.
By following these steps, you can effectively consume a RESTful API and integrate its data and functionality into your application. It’s important to carefully read the API’s documentation and understand its capabilities and limitations in order to effectively use the API and avoid common pitfalls.