Business
CBN gives PoS operators one month to use aggregators
The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed that all Point of Sale operators (POS) must route transactions through licensed payment terminal service aggregators.
A circular posted on the CBN’s website on Thursday stated that the move was aimed at enhancing the tracking and management of electronic transactions in the country.
“As part of efforts to mitigate the concerns regarding channelling all Point of Sale transactions through a single aggregator, the CBN on April 19, 2024, granted a second PTSA licence to Unified Payment Services Limited.
“In furtherance of the above, the CBN hereby directs as follows: 1 Acquirers are henceforth required to route all transactions from PoS terminals at merchant and agent locations, whether on physical or electronic PoS terminals, through any CBN-licensed Payment Terminal Service Aggregator PTSAs are required to send PoS transactions to only Processors certified by the relevant Payment Scheme, nominated by the Acquirer and licensed by CBN,” the apex bank noted.
It noted that the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc was granted a PTSA licence in 2011 to handle the aggregation of PoS transactions.
However, to address concerns about routing all transactions through one aggregator, the CBN granted a second PTSA licence to Unified Payment Services Limited earlier this year in April.
“To achieve the objectiveof tracking electronic transactions in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria in August 2011, granted a Payment Terminal Service Aggregator licence to Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc.
As part of efforts to mitigate the concerns regarding channelling all Point of Sale transactions through a single aggregator, the CBN on April 19, 2024, granted a second PTSA licence to Unified Payment Services Limited.
The CBN has instructed that all acquirers, the institutions responsible for processing payments from PoS terminals, must channel transactions through any of the two licensed aggregators.In addition, licensed processors are required to integrate with both PTSAs to give acquirers the flexibility to choose their preferred service providers.
It noted that payment terminal service providers, responsible for deploying and managing PoS terminals, must ensure their devices and applications are configured to work with any PTSA chosen by the acquirers.
According to the CBN, PTSPs are also required to submit monthly reports to the CBN, detailing the number of merchants and agents they manage, as well as the PTSA services used.
Similarly, the CBN has mandated that each PTSA submit monthly reports of all transactions processed through their platforms.
The apex bank ordered that the reports must be submitted to the director of the Payments System Management Department within seven days after the end of each month.
The CBN urged all PSPs to regularise their operations with the PTSAs within 30 days, warning that non-compliance with the directive would attract appropriate sanctions.
Business
Royal African Society marks 125 years of Africa – Britain Businesses
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
• Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society
The Royal African Society has marked 125 years anniversary of Africa and Britain businesses and investments at a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange.
The Wednesday event brought together the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu; Chief Executive Officer of British International Investment, Leslie Maasdorp; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola; Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal African Society, Stella Okotete; and other business, diplomatic and policy leaders.
Chairperson of the Royal African Society, Arunma Oteh, said that the organisation had spent 125 years fostering partnerships between both regions.
Oteh said that the celebration was aimed at deepening collaboration between Africa and the UK while promoting investment, innovation and shared prosperity.
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
Business
US subjects imports from Nigeria to 12.5% tariff
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from Nigeria as part of a new trade measure targeting countries it says have failed to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The measure was announced in a statement posted on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday.
Nigeria is among the countries subject to the 12.5 per cent tariff, while India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom will face a lower 10 per cent rate after adopting or committing to implement bans on imports linked to forced labour.
The move follows investigations launched by the USTR in May 2026 into 60 of the United States’ largest trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
According to the agency, it received more than 1,600 written submissions, held public hearings involving over 100 witnesses, and consulted more than 45 governments before announcing the tariffs.
Business
MTN Nigeria asks customers to trade old SIM packs for prizes
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
MTN Nigeria has invited customers to bring in old SIM packs, recharge cards, booster cards, dongles, and MTN-branded phones in exchange for prizes.
The telecom giant is running the campaign the under the hashtag #YelloMoments.
MTN launched the campaign on Wednesday, July 23, via its official social media pages, telling followers that items kept in drawers over the years could be worth something.
Customers who participate will also be featured on what MTN described as a “Memory Wall.”
Collection centres across Nigeria
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
In Lagos, customers can visit MTN Plaza at No. 1 Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, or the office at 43 Allen Avenue, Ikeja. In Abuja, the collection point is at No. 4, Medeira Street, Maitama.
In Kano, it is at 2, Civil Centre Road. In Jos, Plateau State, the centre is at Plot 3119, Royalfield Road.
In Asaba, Delta State, the location is KLM 129, Benin–Asaba Expressway. In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, customers can go to 234, Old Aba Expressway, Opposite Hannah Fast Food.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the drop-off point is at MTN Regional Office 1, Olubadan Avenue and Up/Zartech Road, Oluyole Estate.
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