MasterCard has announced its first collaborative relationship with a local Nigerian retailer, Flying Dove Limited, authorised distributors for Sony Corporation and owners and operators of Sony Centres in Nigeria. Through the collaboration, MasterCard will incentivise its cardholders to make use of electronic payment solutions, thus supporting the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) move towards a cashless economy.

The joint venture signals the first cashless initiative of its nature in Nigeria for MasterCard as it supports MasterCard's vision to accelerate the move towards more convenient and safer payment methods for consumers, and to then showcase the success of the collaboration to the wider Nigerian business sector.

Omokehinde Ojomuyide, country manager, West Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, "MasterCard cardholders will quality for a five per cent discount on the purchase of any item at Sony Centres across Nigeria. In addition, and as part of the alliance with MasterCard, Sony Centre staff will undergo card acceptance and fraud prevention training. We will also be supporting Flying Dove by marketing the discount offer, further showcasing the benefits of moving towards electronic payments to our cardholders."

Ashok Jain, Managing Director for Flying Dove Limited added, "Working alongside MasterCard has allowed us, as a retail leader in Nigeria, to further solidify our position in the local market.Our vision is to help make payments in all of the Sony Centres more convenient, easier and safer for customers and the Sony Centre staff."