‎Egoras Technologies Limited., in partnership with Airtel Nigeria, has announced plans to launch an artificial intelligence-powered smartphone, the Cube Phone, aimed at removing structural barriers to digital commerce for millions of small businesses in Nigeria.
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The device, scheduled for release on April 28, combines free internet access for business use, an in-built contactless payment terminal, 100 customer payment cards, and a suite of AI-driven business tools, positioning it as an all-in-one platform for micro and small enterprises.
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The launch comes against the backdrop of low digital payment penetration among Nigeria’s estimated 40 million micro and small businesses, with fewer than eight per cent currently accepting electronic payments. Industry constraints such as high cost of point-of-sale (POS) terminals, expensive mobile data, and concerns over data privacy have continued to limit adoption.
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Priced at ₦240,000, the Cube Phone will be distributed through Egoras showrooms nationwide.
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Chief Executive Officer of Egoras Technologies, Ugoji Harry, said the product was designed to simplify access to digital transactions rather than compete in the smartphone market.
‎“We did not set out to build a better phone. We set out to remove every obstacle between a business owner and their first digital transaction. The phone is simply what it took to achieve that,” he said.
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At the core of the offering is a zero-rating agreement with Airtel Nigeria, which eliminates mobile data costs for all activities conducted on CubeOS, the device’s proprietary operating system. Payments, AI consultations, and business applications on the platform will run without data charges, subscription fees, or usage limits.
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Egoras estimates that small business owners currently spend between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 monthly on mobile data. By removing this cost, the company projects that users could recover the device’s purchase price within a short period, even before factoring in additional revenue from digital transactions.
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The firm disclosed that it has secured rights to extend zero-rated access to third-party developers building applications on CubeOS, describing the model as a first within Africa’s telecommunications ecosystem. Discussions are ongoing with MTN Nigeria and Globacom to expand carrier partnerships.
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Each device comes with 100 Cube Cards—battery-free, near-field communication (NFC) contactless cards with a lifespan of up to 10 years. Merchants can distribute the cards to customers at no cost, enabling transactions through a single password without the need for smartphones or mobile applications.
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Egoras said the model is designed to scale organically, with each device introducing new cards into local markets. The company projects deployment of one million phones and 100 million Cube Cards within the first year.
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The Cube Phone is also preloaded with an AI Business Suite comprising AI Legal, AI CFO, AI Coder, and AI HR—tools designed to support contract drafting, financial management, software development, and workforce administration. The system supports multiple languages, including English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa.
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According to the company, all transactions and AI interactions are encrypted and stored on-device using a blockchain-based architecture, ensuring data privacy. While Airtel provides connectivity, it does not have access to user data, as all transmissions remain encrypted.
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Egoras noted that existing market players such as Moniepoint and OPay focus primarily on payments, while manufacturers like Tecno Mobile and itel Mobile concentrate on hardware.
‎It said the Cube Phone integrates these capabilities into a single device, positioning it as a full-stack solution that reduces reliance on multiple platforms, subscriptions, and infrastructure.
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Headquartered in Lagos, Egoras added that the Cube Phone features a 6.5-inch NFC-enabled display running on CubeOS and is expected to play a significant role in expanding financial inclusion and digital participation among small businesses