Nigerian fintech startup, Boldswitch, has launched FacePay, a payment feature that allows users to tip individuals simply by taking a photo of their face, with no account numbers, QR codes, or conversations required.
According to the company, the innovation, now live on the Boldswitch app, represents a bold leap in biometric payments, aiming to make spontaneous acts of generosity faster, more discreet, and more human.
“FacePay is designed to make giving feel natural and human again,” said Glad Akhison, CEO at Boldswitch. “It removes the awkwardness of asking for account details and makes spontaneous generosity effortless.”
What You Should Know
The company said the concept for FacePay was inspired by an everyday scenario: a customer wanting to tip a service worker for exceptional service but finding no simple or private way to do so.
With FacePay, users can send tips to waiters, taxi drivers, security guards, or online creators, provided the recipient has a registered Boldswitch account.
By using facial recognition technology, the team says the app securely matches the captured image to the correct user profile and instantly transfers the selected amount.
Understanding Boldswitch
The current rollout marks Phase One of Boldswitch’s broader vision for biometric commerce in Africa.
The startup says, in the coming weeks, it plans to extend FacePay to merchants, allowing customers to complete in-store purchases simply by scanning their face, with no cash, card, or phone needed.
Boldswitch believes that the future of payments in Africa will be mobile, biometric, and deeply personal. By combining convenience, security, and human-centred design, FacePay could redefine how payments are made across the continent.
FacePay is now available to all users on the latest version of the Boldswitch app. To experience the service, the company urges users to download or update the app.
Where Boldswitch\’s FacePay Fits In
Nigeria’s digital payments market is experiencing explosive growth. The sector is projected to hit $68.30 billion in transaction value in 2025, with a robust annual growth rate of around 18.8%, expected to surge toward $161.4 billion by 2030.
The industry has seen a remarkable expansion in fintech players. In terms of competition, Boldswitch is operating in a dynamic ecosystem dominated by mature players including Moniepoint, Paystack, PalmPay, Paga, Kuda, Flutterwave, and Interswitch.
According to industry leaders, while these incumbents excel in payments, remittances, and business banking, not many of these platforms currently offer biometric tipping functionality.
Experts say Boldswitch’s FacePay stands out by addressing informal, in-person micro-payments using facial recognition. This positions it uniquely in the market, particularly among underserved segments and scenarios that demand speed, discretion, and convenience.
Talking Points
It is remarkable that Boldswitch has introduced FacePay, enabling users to tip service workers or creators simply by taking a photo of their face, without needing account details or QR codes.
This addresses a common, often awkward barrier in Nigeria’s service industry, finding quick, discreet ways to reward good service.
At Techparley, we see how this single feature positions Boldswitch as an innovator in the digital payments space, carving a niche that blends biometric verification with human interaction.
In a market dominated by transactional apps like Moniepoint, Paystack, and PalmPay, FacePay offers something more personal and spontaneous, potentially reshaping small-scale payments and tipping culture.
However, adoption will depend on building trust in biometric security, ensuring affordability, and driving uptake across diverse service sectors. Strategic partnerships could also accelerate onboarding.
With the right push, FacePay could not only simplify payments but also redefine everyday generosity in Nigeria’s fast-growing cashless economy.
