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How to Get a Credit Card in Nigeria Without a Salary Account

Getting a credit card in Nigeria used to be something only salary earners could dream of. Banks typically required proof of steady monthly income before approving any form of credit. But things are changing fast. Fintechs, alternative banks, and digital financial services are rewriting the rules — and now, it’s possible to get a credit card even without a salary account. The catch? You need to know where to look and how to position yourself.

This article reveals the lesser-known paths to getting a credit card in Nigeria without a traditional salary account. If you’ve been rejected before or assumed you weren’t eligible, keep reading. There are ways to access credit legally, safely, and on your terms.

Traditional banks in Nigeria rely heavily on salary accounts for one simple reason — they want guarantees. A salary account gives them a snapshot of your earning power, which helps them assess how much risk you pose as a borrower. For many years, this system left out freelancers, small business owners, artisans, and students.

But Nigeria’s economy has evolved. More people are self-employed. Some earn online, others run cash-based businesses. These new income models don’t always pass through a regular salary account, but that doesn’t mean the earners are poor. It just means the financial system hasn’t fully caught up — yet.

Now, some players in the financial sector are building alternatives that recognize these income patterns.

Credit Cards vs. Credit Facilities

Before jumping into how to get one, it’s important to know what you’re actually asking for.

A credit card gives you access to a line of credit you can spend and repay monthly. Most Nigerian banks still issue physical credit cards tied to either Visa or Mastercard networks.

However, some new platforms offer virtual credit lines — they don’t come with a card, but you can borrow up to a certain limit and repay over time. These work just like traditional credit cards but without the plastic.

Knowing this helps you widen your options. You don’t have to chase only traditional credit cards — you can start with flexible digital credit systems.

Fintech Solutions Offering Credit Without Salary Account

Several financial platforms in Nigeria now offer credit products to users without demanding a salary account. These include:

1. Carbon (formerly Paylater)

Carbon offers a virtual credit line through its app. Once your profile is verified, you can receive credit limits based on your financial behavior, not your salary.

2. FairMoney

FairMoney operates a loan and credit system through its mobile app. Users can access credit after building a repayment history — no salary account needed.

3. Branch

Branch gives access to microloans and builds your credit profile over time. With consistent use, you can access larger credit limits and flexible repayment options.

4. Paga & Kuda

Some digital banks like Kuda now offer overdraft and credit facilities, which act similarly to a credit card. If your transaction volume and savings habits are strong, they may offer you credit even without monthly salaries.

These platforms use alternative data — how you use your phone, your financial patterns, airtime top-ups, and transfers — to determine your eligibility. They don’t need a payslip to trust you. What they want is responsible behavior and digital footprints.

How to Improve Your Creditworthiness Without a Salary Account

Getting a credit card or credit access without a salary account starts with proving you’re financially disciplined. Here’s how:

Open and actively use a digital bank account.

If you’re using cash alone, you’re invisible to the system. Start routing your income — however irregular — through a digital bank or mobile money service. The more activity your account shows, the more data financial providers can use to assess you.

Save regularly.

Saving shows discipline. If you consistently save even N5,000 monthly, it builds trust with platforms like Cowrywise, PiggyVest, and Kuda. Some of these apps now offer credit boosts or referrals for users with stable saving habits.

Use your debit card often.

Spend using your card, not cash. This allows your bank or fintech to track your patterns — and trust that you can manage credit responsibly.

Build a digital credit profile.

Sign up for platforms like CRC Credit Bureau or FirstCentral. These services track your credit performance. If you’ve ever taken a loan from a digital platform and repaid on time, it shows up here. This can help you qualify for bigger credit limits or even physical credit cards later.

Getting a Secured Credit Card in Nigeria

Another way to access a credit card without a salary is through secured credit cards. This model is common in countries like the U.S., and a few Nigerian banks now offer similar products.

Here’s how it works:

You deposit a certain amount of money in a fixed account, and the bank issues you a credit card with a limit based on that amount. For instance, if you deposit N200,000, they might issue a card with a N150,000 limit.

This is safer for the bank and opens doors for non-salary earners. Some Nigerian banks offer this quietly — you just have to ask at the branch or through their customer service.

Physical Credit Cards for Non-Salary Earners — What’s Available?

While fintechs dominate the virtual credit space, some traditional banks now approve credit cards for certain categories of non-salary earners, especially business owners with active accounts.

Banks like Access Bank, GTBank, and Zenith occasionally offer credit cards to high-transacting customers even if they don’t have a salary inflow, as long as their account turnover is high and consistent.

To qualify, you may need to:

Operate a business account for at least six months
Show steady monthly deposits
Request for a product like an overdraft facility or revolving credit

This isn’t widely advertised, so you’ll need to speak directly with a relationship manager.

What to Watch Out for

Getting credit is one thing — managing it is another. Without a salary, you’re more exposed to financial shocks. Here’s what you need to watch closely: