FirstBank of Nigeria has partnered with electronics retailer Pointek to enable eligible customers to buy smartphones, laptops and household appliances on instalment payments, as the lender expands its digital lending services and seeks to make technology more accessible.
The arrangement allows customers to access financing through FirstEase, FirstBank’s buy-now-pay-later product, with a 30% initial payment and repayment spread over a maximum of six months at an interest rate of 3%.
Under the scheme, FirstBank finances the remaining 70% of the purchase price and pays Pointek directly, while customers repay the bank according to the agreed terms. The partnership was unveiled in Lagos, with customers able to initiate purchases through FirstBank’s mobile banking application or Pointek’s online platform.
BusinessDay reported on October 29, 2026, that the offer is available to customers who receive their salaries through FirstBank and have maintained at least three months of account history and activity.
Speaking at the launch, Abednego Ugwueke, FirstBank’s Group Head of E-Business and Retail Products, said the initiative was designed to address the difficulty customers face in paying the full cost of electronic devices at once.
He explained that demand for devices with greater computing power, memory and speed had increased their cost, making outright purchases difficult for some Nigerians.
Chukwuka Okonkwo, the bank’s Head of Personal Banking, said FirstEase allows customers to finance specific purchases rather than rely solely on conventional cash loans. He added that applicants’ eligibility and financing limits would be assessed using their account activity and transaction records.
Nairametrics reported on October 29 that customers could also choose shorter repayment periods, while those with good repayment records could qualify for higher financing limits on subsequent purchases.
Pointek’s Director of Business, Godwin Ajala, said access to digital devices was important to meaningful participation in the digital economy, noting that smartphones and computers support banking, education, business transactions and access to information.
He said traders use smartphones to receive digital payments and communicate with customers, while students and professionals depend on electronic devices for learning and work.
Ajala, however, noted that device ownership alone would not guarantee digital inclusion, stressing the importance of internet connectivity, digital skills and access to relevant services.
The partnership combines FirstBank’s financing capacity with Pointek’s retail network, giving eligible customers another option for spreading the cost of technology products instead of paying the full amount upfront.
FirstBank already operates digital lending products including FirstAdvance, FirstCredit and Agent Credit. The addition of FirstEase financing through a retail partner extends its lending model to purchases made directly from merchants.
