CBN Directs Payment Service Providers to Track PoS Transactions

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed payment service providers (PSPs) to begin tracking all Point of Sale (PoS) transactions.

The banking sector regulator gave this directive in a circular dated September 11, 2024, and signed by its Director of Payments System Management, Mr Oladimeji Taiwo.

It stated that the PSPs to connect to payment terminal service aggregators, giving them a 30-day deadline to regularise with Payment Terminal Service Aggregators (PTSA).

“As part of efforts to mitigate the concerns regarding channelling all Point of Sale (PoS) transactions through a single aggregator, the CBN on April 19, 2024, granted a second PTSA licence to Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL),” the circular partly stated.

The CBN, thereafter, directed that “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 (PTSA)”.

“PTSAs are required to send PoS transactions to only Processors certified by the relevant Payment Scheme, nominated by the Acquirer and licensed by CBN.

“All licensed Processors must be integrated with both PTSAs, thereby allowing Acquirers the flexibility to choose which Processor(s) and PTSA to utilize 4. All Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) must ensure that their PoS devices and applications are configured to route transactions through any PTSA, as directed by the Acquirer.

“All PTSPs shall submit monthly returns to the CBN, detailing the number of merchants and agents they manage, along with the PTSA services used to route the corresponding transactions.

“Each PTSA is required to submit monthly returns to the CBN, detailing all transactions processed through their platforms.

“The returns mentioned in items (5) and (6) above are expected to be submitted to the Director. Payments System Management Department, not later than seven (7) days after the end of each month.

“Consequently, you are hereby directed to commence regularisation with the PTSAs and notify the CBN in writing to confirm compliance, within 30 days from the date of this circular.

“Please be guided accordingly as non-compliance shall attract appropriate sanctions,” the directive stated.