Nigeria Launches Mastercard-Branded National ID Card That Doubles as a Payment Card

President Goodluck Jonathan launched Nigeria's national electronic identity card and received the first one, a biometric card that can also be used to make electronic payments. The BBC reported that MasterCard was providing the prepaid payment element, hoping millions of Nigerians without bank accounts would gain access to financial services, and that 13 million MasterCard-branded ID cards would be issued in the pilot. The card was for those aged 16 and over, and the president used his at an ATM during the launch.