Gift card trading platform TradeCard has launched operations in Nigeria, introducing both its mobile trading app and a corporate social responsibility programme designed to ease transport costs for working-class commuters.
The launch event in Lagos featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between TradeCard and the Harvesters Africa Empowerment Foundation for the “Routes of Hope” initiative, which will provide subsidised rides for more than 2,000 people monthly. The scheme is expected to deliver over 6,000 return trips and save each beneficiary up to N12,000.
TradeCard’s brand representative in Nigeria, Clever Soni, said the company’s entry aims to change negative perceptions around gift card trading by offering a transparent and legally compliant marketplace.
“Gift cards are legitimate financial instruments, but in Nigeria they have often been associated with scams. We are here to change that narrative by operating openly, complying with all legal requirements, and giving people a safe and easy way to convert their cards to cash,” Soni said in a statement.
Already active in other countries, TradeCard enables users to list and sell gift cards at preferred prices, with transactions typically completed within five minutes. The company is targeting young adults, students, freelancers, and small business owners who frequently receive gift cards from abroad. Soni added that TradeCard will also host workshops across universities and polytechnics to build trust in digital asset exchange.
Team lead at Harvesters Africa Empowerment Foundation, Diepriye Okunue-Olu, said the partnership would initially run for three months, offering safe and reliable buses for daily commutes.
“Transportation costs in Lagos are high, often consuming a significant portion of people’s income. This initiative will not only reduce financial strain but also provide commuters with a safe and conducive environment,” Okunue-Olu said.
Soni added that the launch aligns with the firm’s broader vision of becoming Africa’s leading platform for digital asset exchange, combining technology-driven financial services with social impact projects.
