Digital money is no longer a futuristic idea in Nigeria. It is how most people now move money to their loved ones, buy food, pay bills and run their businesses. And those everyday taps and transfers have become a powerful engine for Access Holdings, Nigeria’s biggest financial group by customer size.

According to its financial statements for the first nine months of 2025, fees earned from digital channels grew into one of the group’s strongest income lines. The item called Channels and other E-business income shows the group made about ₦151.3 billion within the period ended September 30, 2025.

These payments come not only from Nigerians but also from customers in the other African markets where Access Holdings has expanded its digital services.

This figure represents the direct charges customers pay when they use USSD, card payments, mobile banking and other digital services. In simple terms, Access Holdings made more than ₦151 billion just because Nigerians are paying through phones and cards instead of cash. This signals a shift. The group is no longer only earning from interest on loans or corporate services. It now earns heavily from digital life itself.

How Access Holdings tech subsidiaries boost the numbers

Access Holdings is not only running a bank. It has been investing in technology businesses that now contribute significantly. Two stand out in the operating segment report.

Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited is a fintech company offering InstantPay, payment gateway services, POS, card and switching solutions to public and private organisations. Oxygen X Finance Company Limited provides quick and reliable digital loans to salary earners and small businesses.

Their earnings show that the digital shift is not a hype. It is already business.

Hydrogen recorded over ₦6.1 billion in revenue from external customers and over ₦1.2 billion in profit before taxation. Oxygen X Finance Company Limited generated about ₦9.1 billion in revenue from external customers and ₦4.2 billion in profit before taxation.

Even though these are still small compared to traditional banking segments, they reveal that digital channels are attracting large transaction volumes while digital lending is generating stronger profits at this stage.

This also explains why Access Holdings continues to push aggressive digital products. They are profitable.

These tech contributions sit within a broader shift in how the group earns revenue. Total fee and commission income reached ₦600.4 billion compared to ₦401.5 billion last year. Digital channels, card services and electronic transactions play a major role in that growth because they provide steady income that is less dependent on lending activities.

This supports the view that Access Holdings is transitioning into a more technology-supported revenue structure.

Digital adoption has also influenced deposit strength. The group closed the period with ₦33.1 trillion in deposits, compared to ₦22.5 trillion at the end of 2024. This more than ₦10 trillion increase shows how mobile banking and online onboarding continue to attract customers who prefer convenience and speed.

Total assets climbed to ₦52.19 trillion from ₦41.49 trillion in December 2024, and technology is a major reason for this scale. As more customers adopt digital channels, Access Holdings expands faster without depending heavily on new branches.

Profitability follows the same pattern. The group recorded ₦616.2 billion profit before tax, up from ₦558.1 billion in the same period last year. Profit after tax stood at ₦447.5 billion, with ₦426.7 billion attributable to shareholders. Digital systems support faster and more consistent earnings by reducing the cost of serving millions of users.

Liquidity is also improving due to digital operations. Net cash generated from operating activities stood at ₦6.08 trillion compared to ₦4.61 trillion, supported by faster settlement cycles and automated collections. Cash and bank balances rose to ₦8.73 trillion from ₦5.22 trillion, a sign of stronger customer engagement and financial stability.

Investments in technology continue to show in the balance sheet support systems. Equity improved to ₦3.98 trillion from ₦3.76 trillion. This allows the group to continue upgrading its digital infrastructure, including payment technology, cybersecurity and data systems needed to manage high transaction volumes safely.

Why the numbers matter

Nigerians are paying these digital fees because digital banking has become essential for survival and convenience.

The financial statement explains that the charges tied to the ₦151.3 billion revenue line come from electronic channels, card products and related services. This means that the growth in digital revenue is directly connected to daily life.

When someone sends money home using a phone, when a small business collects payments through POS, or when a household pays for electricity online, Access Holdings earns a fee. People pay because digital channels help them avoid queues, reduce travel stress and complete payments instantly.

There is also a bigger economic story here. Digital payments contribute to financial inclusion by helping more people access the financial system without needing a physical branch. Digital lending supports customers who would traditionally face delays or outright denial from regular loan processes.