Gift cards are prepaid cards with a certain amount of money that can be used to buy goods and services at specific stores or online platforms. I will be sharing with you today some of the most popular type of Gift Cards you can make use of.
In Nigeria, gift cards are used to buy items from international stores like Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and others. Nigerians use gift cards for online shopping, entertainment subscriptions and to access premium apps, games and digital services that are not available locally.
Nigerians also use gift cards as a form of currency exchange. Many people trade gift cards for cash on platforms that convert the card’s value to Nigerian Naira. This is handy for people who want to avoid international transaction fees or need money fast.
Gift cards offer flexibility, convenience and security. They are a way to make purchases without a credit card and help users manage their spending. They are also great for gifting as recipients can choose their preferred items.
Nigerians started using gift cards around 2010 when e-commerce began to take off in the country and international shopping became more accessible.
Here are top 10 most used gift cards and their uses.
Top 10 Most Used Gift Cards 2024
1. Steam Gift Card
Steam Gift Card is the biggest player in the Nigerian gift card market and has been consistently top 1 for a long time. Steam is a global video game distribution platform that gives users access to thousands of games. The popularity of Steam gift cards in Nigeria is driven by the growing gaming culture especially among the youth.
Steam gift cards not only gives access to a wide range of games but also has great resale value. Many people trade Steam gift cards for cash, making it a popular option for gamers and non-gamers alike. For Nigerians looking to make a quick naira exchange, selling Steam gift cards has become a popular choice because of its high demand and good rates.
2. iTunes Gift Card
The iTunes gift card is well known and widely used in Nigeria especially among Apple users. Its popularity has grown with the increase in the adoption of iPhones and other Apple devices in the country. Apple’s iTunes Store is a massive marketplace where users can buy music, apps, movies and more.
One of the reasons why iTunes gift cards have become a staple in Nigeria is the frequent “payment card declined” error Nigerian debit card users face when trying to make a purchase on Apple Music. iTunes gift cards is a hassle free alternative, users can pay for their subscriptions and other purchases without worrying about payment failures. Also, iTunes gift cards are frequently traded for cash and its high exchange rate makes it attractive to both buyers and sellers.
3. Google Play Gift Card
Google Play gift cards have become one of the most popular gift cards in Nigeria due to the widespread use of Android devices. Google Play is the default app store for Android users, with a wide range of apps, games, music, movies and e-books.
Google Play gift cards are easy to buy and are very valuable. Users can redeem them for purchases and trade them for cash. The high resale value of Google Play gift cards in Nigeria especially on Nosh makes them a hot commodity for traders and users.
4. Jumia Gift Card
Jumia, Nigeria’s leading e-commerce platform has also joined the gift card market with Jumia Gift Cards. These cards are available in various denominations starting from as low as NGN500.
Jumia gift cards are perfect for customers who shop online or at Jumia physical stores. These cards are easy to get from Jumia website and can be redeemed for a wide range of products on their platform. Not as widely traded as international cards like Amazon or iTunes, Jumia gift cards are valuable for their convenience and usability in Nigeria.
5. Shoprite Gift Card
The Shoprite Gift Card is another gift card option in Nigeria for those who shop in physical stores. Shoprite is one of the biggest supermarket chain in the country and their gift cards can be used to buy a wide range of items from groceries to household products.
Unlike international gift cards which are issued in dollars, Shoprite gift cards are denominated in Nigerian naira making them easier to use locally. Customers can redeem these cards at any Shoprite outlet across the country. Shoprite also sometimes offer discounts to those who use their gift cards, so there’s more reason to use them.
6. Amazon Gift Card
Amazon gift cards are popular not just in Nigeria but worldwide. Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer with a wide range of products. The Amazon gift card is available in various denominations from $25 to $500 and can be used to buy anything on the Amazon platform.
In Nigeria, Amazon gift cards are highly sought after because they provide a way to shop internationally without needing credit cards or other complex payment methods. Like other popular cards, Amazon gift cards can also be traded for cash on Nosh where they have high resale value.
7. PlayStation Gift Card
The PlayStation Gift Card is very popular in Nigeria especially among the youth. PlayStation is one of the biggest gaming console in the world and the gift card allows you to download and purchase games, add-ons and in-game content directly from the PlayStation Store.
The growing gaming community in Nigeria has made the PlayStation gift card one of the most traded card in the market. For gamers looking to upgrade their PlayStation experience or for those looking to trade cards for cash, the PlayStation gift card is useful and valuable.
8. Razer Gold Gift Card
The Razer Gold Gift Card is a valuable asset for gamers in Nigeria. Razer Gold is an online credit used to purchase games and in-game content across hundreds of supported games. The card has no expiry date so you can redeem it whenever you want.
In Nigeria, the high resale value of Razer Gold gift cards makes them a good option for traders. For example, a $100 Razer Gold gift card can fetch as much as NGN 54,000 on Nosh. With this rate and the growing gaming community in the country, Razer Gold gift cards is a top choice.
9. American Express (Amex) Gift Card
The American Express (Amex) Gift Card is globally recognized and accepted. In Nigeria, Amex gift cards are popular because of their global usability. Amex gift cards can be used online and in physical stores so it’s a good gift or payment method for any transaction.
There are two types of Amex gift cards: personal and business. Personal cards are for individual use while businesses order Amex gift cards in bulk as incentives or rewards for their employees. The flexibility and wide acceptance of these cards makes them one of the top choice for Nigerians who want to shop internationally or trade gift cards for cash.
10. Xbox Gift Card
Xbox Gift Cards are another popular among gamers in Nigeria. Just like PlayStation Gift Card, Xbox Gift Cards allows you to buy games, apps, movies and TV shows from the Microsoft Store.
The increasing number of Xbox users in Nigeria has made the demand for Xbox Gift Cards to increase. Also many traders find that these cards have a solid resale value, so it’s a popular choice for both gamers and those who want to make profit by selling the cards.
Conclusion
Gift cards is still a convenient and flexible way to make purchases and in 2024, the Nigerian market is filled with options. From the popular Steam and Google Play gift cards to local ones like Jumia and Shoprite, Nigerians have adopted the use of gift cards for personal use and trading. As the demand for gift cards increase, so does their value, so it’s a valuable asset for anyone who wants to maximize digital payments in Nigeria. Platforms like Nosh makes it easy to buy, sell and trade these cards at competitive rates.
