As part of measures to promote its cashless policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed Point-of-Sale (POS) agents not to pay more than N100,000 as cash to each customer per day.
The banking sector regulator also restricted the POS operators not to pay more than N1.2 million per day as cash to customers, adding that customers may not withdraw more than N500,000 per week as cash.
To ensure accountability, the CBN has mandated that all agency banking transactions must be conducted exclusively through float accounts maintained with the principal institutions.
It also directed that agent banking services be separated from other merchant activities, with agents required to use the approved Agent Code 6010 for transactions.
In a circular dated December 17, 2024, the central bank noted these efforts are to ensure uniform operational standards, combat fraud, and enhance the use of electronic payment systems in agency banking operations.
The CBN ordered that, “All principals of agents are to comply with the following directives immediately,” in the circular signed on behalf of its Director of the Payments System Management Department, Mr Oladimeji Taiwo, and directed at Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks, Mobile Money Operators, and Super-Agents.
“Issuers shall set a cash withdrawal limit (cash-out) per customer (regardless of channel) to N500,000.00 per week; Ensure that all agent banking terminals are set to a daily maximum transaction cash-out limit of N100,000.00 per customer; Ensure that each agent’s daily cumulative cash-out limit shall not exceed N1,200,000.00,” the notice added.
The central bank advised all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the directives to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy and contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s cashless economy.