Circular and Guidelines for the Operations of Agent Banking in Nigeria

Classified as Confidential
Central Bank of Nigeria
Payments System Policy Department
Central Business District,
Cadastral Zone,
P.M.B 0187, Abuja-Nigeria.
E-mail: PSPD@cbn.gov.ng
Phone:09 462 35000

PSP/DIR/CON/CWO/001/049
October 6, 2025

CIRCULAR TO ALL DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS, OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS

ISSUANCE OF GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATIONS OF AGENT BANKING IN NIGERIA The Central Bank of Nigeria, in furtherance of its mandate for the stability of the financial system and pursuant to its role in deepening the financial system, hereby issues the Guidelines for the Operations of Agent Banking in Nigeria.

The Guidelines aim to establish minimum standards for operating agent banking in Nigeria, enhancing agent banking to provide financial services and promoting financial inclusion, encouraging responsible market conduct and improving service quality in Agent Banking operations.

This circular takes effect from the date of release while the implementation of agent location and agent exclusivity, shall be with effect from April 1, 2026.

All stakeholders are required to ensure strict compliance with the Guidelines and all other regulations, as the CBN continues to monitor developments and issue guidance as may be appropriate.

Yours faithfully.
Bello
Musa I. Jimoh
Director, Payments System Policy Department

1

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATIONS OF AGENT
BANKING IN NIGERIA

Classified as Confidential
October, 2025
2

Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
5
1.1 OBJECTIVES
5
1.2 SCOPE
5
2.0
AGENT BANKING STAKEHOLDERS.
6
3.0
PERMISSIBLE AND NON-PERMISSIBLE AGENT BANKING ACTIVITIES .. 6 4.0 AGENT BANKING RELATIONSHIPS 7 5.0 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS 8
6.0 TYPES OF AGENTS.
8
7.0 AGENT QUALIFICATION AND DUE DILIGENCE REQUIREMENTS
9
8.0 PROCESS OF APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS
10
8.1 DOCUMENTATION
10
8.2 DUE DILIGENCE
REQUIREMENTS...
10
8.3 RISK ASSESSMENT
11
8.4
ONBOARDING
12
9.0 ROLES AND OBLIGATIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS
13
9.1
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PRINCIPAL
13
9.2
RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN AGENT
15
9.3
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPER AGENTS.
16
9.4 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PAYMENTS TERMINAL SERVICE AGGREGATOR
(PTSA)
16
9.5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CBN
17
10.0 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
17
10.1
DEDICATED AGENT ACCOUNTS
17
10.2
PUBLICATION OF LIST OF AGENTS AND LOCATIONS 18 10.3 RELOCATION AND CLOSURE OF AGENT PREMISES 18 10.4 REAL TIME TRANSACTIONS 18 10.5 MINIMUM ICT REQUIREMENTS 19
10.6 DATA AND NETWORK SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
19
10.7
RISK MANAGEMENT
20
10.8
AML/CFT/CPF REQUIREMENTS
20
10.9 CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES
20
10.10 BRANDING AND ADVERTISEMENT
22
Classified as Confidential
3
11.0 OPERATIONAL AND TRANSACTIONAL LIMITS
22
12.0 RENDITION OF RETURNS
23
13.0 REMEDIAL OR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
24
14.0 SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES
24
15.0 ACRONYMS
25
16.0 DEFINITION OF TERMS..
27
Classified as Confidential
4
1.0
INTRODUCTION
Agent banking entails the provision of financial services by a third party to customers on behalf of a licensed deposit-taking financial institution. Agent banking entails the provision of financial services by a third party to customers on behalf of a licensed deposit-taking financial institution. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), issued the “Guidelines for the Regulation of Agent Banking and Agent Banking Relationships in Nigeria” in 2013 and the “Regulatory Framework for Licensing Super Agents in Nigeria” in 2015. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), issued the “Guidelines for the Regulation of Agent Banking and Agent Banking Relationships in Nigeria” in 2013 and the “Regulatory Framework for Licensing Super Agents in Nigeria” in 2015.

Access to financial services in Nigeria has been enhanced through the Agent banking initiative and has served as a viable tool for the achievement of financial inclusion targets. Access to financial services in Nigeria has been enhanced through the Agent banking initiative and has served as a viable tool for the achievement of financial inclusion targets. Given the expansive nature of the Agent banking ecosystem and the sophistication of Agent banking operations due to technological advancement, it became necessary for the CBN to review the regulations on Agent banking, in line with current realities. Given the expansive nature of the Agent banking ecosystem and the sophistication of Agent banking operations due to technological advancement, it became necessary for the CBN to review the regulations on Agent banking, in line with current realities.

In furtherance of its mandate to promote a sound, safe and stable financial system under the CBN Act 2007, and its power to regulate the business of banking under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020 (BOFIA), the CBN hereby issues the "Guidelines for the Operations of Agent Banking in Nigeria” to strengthen the enabling environment for offering safe financial services to the underbanked and remote areas in the country. In furtherance of its mandate to promote a sound, safe and stable financial system under the CBN Act 2007, and its power to regulate the business of banking under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020 (BOFIA), the CBN hereby issues the "Guidelines for the Operations of Agent Banking in Nigeria” to strengthen the enabling environment for offering safe financial services to the underbanked and remote areas in the country.

The current review seeks to consolidate all extant policies with respect to Agent banking and Agent banking relationships into a single document (guidelines) to comprehensively address emerging issues within the ecosystem. The current review seeks to consolidate all extant policies with respect to Agent banking and Agent banking relationships into a single document (guidelines) to comprehensively address emerging issues within the ecosystem. Consequently, this Guidelines supersedes all other CBN guidelines on Agent banking and Agent banking relationships. Consequently, this Guidelines supersedes all other CBN guidelines on Agent banking and Agent banking relationships.

1.1 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Guidelines are to:
1.1 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Guidelines are to:

1. Provide minimum standards for the regulation and operations of Agent banking
   in Nigeria;
2. Enhance Agent banking as a delivery channel for offering financial services to
   drive financial inclusion; and
3. Encourage responsible market conduct and improve service quality in the
   operations of Agent banking.

1.2 SCOPE
This Guidelines shall apply to all Financial Institutions (FIs) licensed by the CBN and authorised to engage in Agent banking activities, subject to periodic review by the CBN. 1.2 SCOPE This Guidelines shall apply to all Financial Institutions (FIs) licensed by the CBN and authorised to engage in Agent banking activities, subject to periodic review by the CBN.

Classified as Confidential
5
2.0 AGENT BANKING STAKEHOLDERS
2.1 The following stakeholders are recognised in this Guidelines:
i. Principals
ii. Super Agents
iii. Agents
iv. Payment Terminal Service Aggregators (PTSAs)
v. CBN
vi. Any other stakeholder as may be approved by the CBN.
2.2
For the purpose of this Guidelines, a Principal is a duly licensed deposit-taking (FI), authorised to carry out Agent banking activities pursuant to its licence category. 2.3 A Super Agent is an incorporated entity licensed by the CBN to carry out the sole permissible activity of recruiting, aggregating and managing Agents. 2.4 An Agent refers to an individual or eligible non-individual (as defined in Section
6.2 (ii) contracted by a Principal) or through a Super Agent, to provide part or
all the services listed in Section 3.0 below, on behalf of a Principal.
3.0 PERMISSIBLE AND NON-PERMISSIBLE AGENT BANKING ACTIVITIES
3.1 The following services are permissible activities under Agent banking:
i. Cash deposits (cash-in) and cash withdrawals (cash-out) within the
transaction limits prescribed in Section 11 of this Guidelines;
ii. Facilitating bill payments;
iii. Funds transfer services (Naira transactions only);
iv. Account balance enquiry transmitted by short messaging service or email
to customers;
v. Generation and issuance of mini bank statement transmitted by short
messaging service or email to customers;
vi. Provide account opening forms on behalf of the Principal and assist in the
review and submission of account opening forms;
vii. Facilitating cheque book request and collection;
viii. Collection of bank mails /correspondence for customers; and
ix. Such other services as may be approved by the CBN from time to time.
3.2 The following activities are classified as non-permissible activities pursuant to
this Guidelines:
i. Super Agents undertaking Agent banking activities;
ii. Agents carrying out banking services including but not limited to customer
account opening, loan underwriting, investment and forex services;
iii. Delegation of permissible activities of an Agent to another entity or
individual;
Classified as Confidential
6
iv. Use of non-human/automated machines as Agents;
v. Any other activity that the CBN may deem as non-permissible from time to
time.
3.3 It shall be the responsibility of a Principal to determine, based on its Agent risk
assessment, which services in 3.1 above, it shall permit any of its Agents to undertake.
4.0 AGENT BANKING RELATIONSHIPS
4.1 An Agent banking relationship is established when an Agent and a Principal enter
into an Agent Banking Agreement in which an Agent is required to provide financial services (stated in 3.1 above) to customers on behalf of a Principal.
4.2 Agents shall be exclusive to one Principal only.
4.3 Agents can only belong to the network of one Super Agent at any given time.
4.4 A Super Agent may be contracted by more than one Principal and in each case
shall be required to execute an Agency contract with each Principal.
4.5 Where an Agent is engaged, there shall be an Agreement between the Principal
and the Agent
4.6 Every Principal or Super Agent shall first obtain the approval of its Board of
Directors before entering into any Agent banking relationship.
4.7 At a minimum, the duly executed Agent Banking Agreement between a Principal
and an Agent shall cover the following:
a. Duration b. Authorised Services
c. Applicable Fees and/or Charges
d. Use of dedicated Agent accounts for all Agent banking transactions e. Agent Remuneration f. Instances of Breach and Penalties g. Agent's Business Hours and Location for Business (Geographic area) h. Obligations of the Parties
i. Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism/
Proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) and KYC Requirements j. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure k. Limitation of Liability Clauses
l. Dispute Resolution
m. Amendment n. Opt-in/Opt-out o. Termination p. Force Majeure Classified as Confidential 7
4.8 A Principal shall tender to the CBN upon request, the duly executed Agent
Banking Agreements signed with Agents.
5.0
APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS
The methods of appointment of Agents permitted under this Guidelines are:
5.1
Direct Appointment
This is where a Principal directly appoints an Agent (individual or non- individual), to facilitate permissible banking services at an agreed location, on its behalf, 5.2 Indirect Appointment This is where a Principal, through a Super Agent duly licensed by the CBN, appoints Agents (individuals and non-individuals), to carry out Agent banking activities on its behalf. 5.3 There are no limits on the number of Agents which a Principal may appoint directly or indirectly. 5.4 An Agent is not allowed to be appointed by another Principal (directly or indirectly) until the expiration of any existing Agent Banking Agreement.
6.0 TYPES OF AGENTS
Agents allowed to carry out Agent banking services may take any of these forms:
6.1 Individual Agents
i.
An Individual Agent is a person contracted (directly or indirectly) to carry out permissible agent banking activities of a Principal. ii. An Individual Agent that has been appointed by a Principal is only allowed to provide the assigned agent banking services within the agreed scope of permissible activities stated in the Agreement executed with its Principal. iii. An appointed individual Agent is not permitted to have, retain, use or deploy other Agents or maintain an Agent network under him/her. iv. An individual Agent shall operate at an agreed location as described in
section 16.0 (Definition of Terms).
6.2 Non-Individual Agents
(i) A non-individual Agent is any incorporated entity conducting commercial activity and appointed to carry out agent banking services on behalf of a Principal. Classified as Confidential 8 (ii) To qualify for appointment as a non-individual Agent, an entity shall operate businesses such as sale of confectionery and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), petrol stations, restaurants/bars, parks and recreation centres, fashion and beauty outlets with registered place of business; and any other venture which the CBN may authorise from time to time. (iii) Designated employees of a non-individual Agents used to carry out the Agent banking operations shall operate only within the registered place of business of the entity. (iv) The Tax Identification Number (TIN) of a non-individual Agent and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of designated employee(s) shall be linked to any device(s) deployed to such non-individual Agent for its agent banking operations.
7.0 AGENT QUALIFICATION AND DUE DILIGENCE REQUIREMENTS
7.1 Any person or entity who wishes to be appointed or act as Agent(s) of a Principal
shall meet the following eligibility conditions:
i. Demonstrate the ability to carry out the permissible activities specified in
Section 3.1 above;
ii. Provide the mandatory information and satisfy the requirements stated in
Section 8.0 of this Guidelines;
iii. Obtain authorisation from any relevant authority, if required by law or
regulation to get such approval from a regulatory authority, prior to being appointed as an Agent; and
iv. In the case of an individual Agent, he or she shall not be less than 18 years
old and of sound mind.
7.2
The following are disqualified from being appointed as Agents under this Guidelines:
i.
A person or entity with a non-performing loan with any Fl in the last 12 months preceding the appointment or renewal of such Agent Banking Agreement, information having been obtained from reliable sources such as a licensed Credit Bureau; ii. An individual that has been declared bankrupt or is an undischarged bankrupt, and in the case of a non-individual, a company that has filed for insolvency; iii. A person who has been convicted of a felony; fraud, dishonesty and related offences; Classified as Confidential iv. A person whose BVN has been watch-listed; V. A person who has been blacklisted 9
vi. Any individual or non-individual who has violated this Guidelines; or
vii. An individual or non-Individual whose appointment as an Agent
contravenes any law or regulation in Nigeria.
8.0 PROCESS OF APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS
8.1 DOCUMENTATION
8.1.1 The Principal or Super Agent (as applicable) shall request any individual or non-
individual seeking to be appointed as an Agent to furnish the following information, as may be applicable:
i. Name and Particulars (residential address, sex, age, LGA, state, etc.) of
the prospective Agent and the designated employees for the non-individual Agent;
ii. Certificate of incorporation/Business name registration with Corporate
Affairs Commission (CAC) for non-individual Agents;
iii. Physical address of the Agent location or place of business, including postal
address and telephone numbers;
iv. Evidence of availability of funds to cover Agent operations;
V. Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identity Number (NIN) of
prospective individual Agents and designated employees of non-individual Agents
vi. 3 years Tax Clearance Certificate and Tax Identification Number (TIN) for
prospective non-individual Agents;
vii. Particulars and BVN of Promoters/Director(s) of non-individual Agents;
viii. BVN of signatories to the individual or non-individual Agent's bank
account(s);
ix. Disclosure of previous Agent banking relationship(s) (if any) and evidence
of termination of such relationship(s), and Χ.
Any other information that the CBN or the Principal may require from such prospective Agent shall be applicable to existing Agents or revalidated. 8.2 DUE DILIGENCE REQUIREMENTS 8.2.1 Classified as Confidential Principals or Super Agents (as the case may be) are required to conduct proper due diligence on Agents prior to appointment of such persons as Agents. 10 8.2.2 The due diligence exercise at a minimum shall entail a comprehensive appraisal and/or verification of:
i.
The background and professional suitability of the Agent or business operations of a non-individual Agent including promoters, directors, partners and management (as applicable); ii. Credit history or information obtained from a credit bureau or other sources; iii. Any criminal record including fraud or dishonesty; iv. Sources of funds; V. Business address or location provided by the Agent; vi. Pre-existing relationships with the Principal that may be detrimental to the Agent banking relationship; vii. Adequacy of the prospective Agent's resources for Agent banking; and viii. Any other information or arrangement that may negatively or positively impact on the prospective Agent.
8.3 RISK ASSESSMENT
8.3.1 The Principal shall carry out an Agent risk assessment prior to appointment
and onboarding of a prospective Agent.
8.3.2 The Principal shall establish clear and well documented, risk identification,
assessment, mitigation and monitoring policies, specific to Agent banking operations.
8.3.3 The Principal is required to consider the following while conducting effective
due diligence:
i.
Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements; ii. Daily transaction limits; iii. Minimum IT security requirements; iv. Authentication of each customer's transaction.
8.3.4 The Principals' risk assessment of the Agent shall include (but not be limited
Classified as Confidential to):
i.
Identification of potential risks; ii.
Analysing and evaluating the risks; iii.
Developing risk management strategies; iv.
Determining control measures;
V.
Assessing levels of safety and compliance in accordance with extant regulations and laws; and vi. Any other requirements that may be prescribed by the CBN from time to time. 11
8.3.5 The Principal shall, based on due diligence assessment of an Agent and prior
to appointment of an Agent, set transactional limits for the Agent commensurate with the assessment in line with Section 11.
8.3.6 The Principal shall ensure that proper monitoring processes exist for Agent
banking operations and compliance with regulations.
8.4 ONBOARDING
8.4.1 Upon completion of the Agent risk assessment, the Principal shall directly or
through a Super Agent onboard the selected Agent(s) by the following steps:
i. Signing the Agent Banking Agreement.
ii.
Complete the “Know Your Agent” registration with relevant BVN/NIN/TIN. iii. Register the appointed individual or non-individual Agent's KYC information (including biometric data collection and GPS locations) by profiling on the database of the Agent network. iv. The details of the Agent's BVN/NIN/TIN and other registration records shall form part of the information to be forwarded to the PTSA for deployment of terminals by a licensed PTSP.
8.4.2 Training of Agents
i.
The Principal or Super Agent as applicable, shall organize training sessions prior to onboarding that affords the Agents a practical experience. ii. At a minimum, such training shall cover the following content:
a. Agent responsibilities and obligations b. KYC regulations and customer registration requirements C. Transaction processes d. Prohibition of transacting on behalf of customers e. Using and troubleshooting devices to be used to conduct transactions f. Reporting fraudulent transactions (AML & CFT guidelines) g. Identifying fake currency h. Proper maintenance of records
i. Liquidity management
j. Customer service k. Reconciliation
Classified as Confidential
12 iii.
I. Consumer protection laws and implications for non-compliance
m. Diversity and inclusion concepts and application n. Basic financial literacy for customers and Agents o. Such other customer service delivery training that CBN may require from time to time. The frequency of such training by the Principal/Super Agent shall be at least biyearly or as may be required by the CBN from time to time.
9.0 ROLES AND OBLIGATIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS
9.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PRINCIPAL
9.1.1 The Principal shall be responsible for the actions or omissions of its Agent(s) in
the conduct of its Agent banking services. This responsibility shall extend to actions of the Agent even if not authorized in the contract so long as they relate to Agent banking services or matters connected therewith.
9.1.2 It is the responsibility of the Principal to:
i.
Conduct enhanced due diligence of prospective Agents prior to onboarding and approving Agents' sign-up and/or delisting; ii. Seek and obtain CBN's No Objection or relevant approvals as applicable, with respect to Agent banking; Classified as Confidential iii. Establish policies and processes for Agent banking operations including selection, approval, onboarding, retention, monitoring and supervisory checks, risk management, dispute resolution amongst others; iv. Establish functions or units within the institution for Agent management and supervision. V. Ensure that all POS terminals deployed at agent locations are configured to accept transactions from all cards issued by Nigerian banks. Principals shall be card-neutral entities and shall not promote or favour any specific card brand over another. vi. Ensure fair and consistent pricing and rewards for all customers and agents at agent locations, regardless of their relationship with the principal. vii. Provide a Code of Conduct and Operational Guides to Agents providing Agent banking activities on its behalf; 13 viii. Ensure compliance with CBN's extant_AML/CFT/CPF regulations in carrying out its Agent banking operations; ix. Execute all necessary Agreements with respect to agent banking relationship. Χ. Ensure that the terms and conditions governing Agent Banking relationship are clearly stated in the Agreement; xi. Set transaction limits in line with Section 11, continuously monitor Agent's compliance with such limits and report any suspicious or fraudulent activity of the Agent; xii. Ensure that agents appointed are in compliance with relevant laws that may affect their conduct of business; xiii. Assess the adequacy of controls of outsourced activities through regular audits and periodic review of Agents' transactions and activities; xiv. Conduct periodic assessment of services rendered by the Super- Agent(s) to ensure compliance with extant regulations and the terms of the Agreement(s); XV. Manage and mitigate risks associated with the engagement of Agents to provide financial services on its behalf;
xvi. Establish appropriate consumer protection measures and dispute
resolution mechanisms; xvii.
Comply with extant data protection laws and regulations; xviii. Establish a business continuity plan that accommodates Agent banking operations, to mitigate any significant disruption, discontinuity of the service; xix. Report the relocation or closure of any of its Agent's location to the CBN; XX. Ensure prompt rendition of returns to the CBN; xxi. Ensure that Agent locations are branded as approved by CBN and co- branded by the Super Agent, to display at all times, the identity of the Principal and Super Agent (where applicable); xxii. Classified as Confidential Ensure place of business is located in an area that guarantees safety, security of the customers and confidentiality of customers transactions; 14 xxiii. Recruit and aggregate Agents and be wholly responsible and liable for all actions or omissions of Agents aggregated under its platform. xxiv. Ensure that agent banking services are clearly demarcated from merchant activities and that agents apply the approved Agent Code 6010 for agent banking activities XXV. Ensure that agency banking activities are consummated exclusively through agent accounts maintained with the principals. xxvi. Monitor accounts associated with the agents' BVN(s) with a view to identifying agent banking activities which may be conducted outside the designated agent account(s) xxvii. Ensure that each agent terminals is connected to at least one PTSA xxviii. Ensure that all daily transactions per agent, including withdrawals, limits of transactions and balances in dedicated agent accounts are sent electronically to NIBSS, as a report to be forwarded to the CBN.
9.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN AGENT
The Agent shall be responsible for:
Classified as Confidential i.
Safe keeping of relevant data, information and documents and prompt submission to the Principal at pre-agreed intervals; ii. Safety of its platforms or devices deployed for the conduct of Agent banking operations; iii. Maintaining records of all transactions at the Agent's location in line with extant data retention regulations; iv. Carrying out transactions and ensuring privacy at the agreed place of business; V. Compliance with transaction limits and other regulatory requirements at its Agent location in line with this Guidelines and other CBN regulations; vi. Complying with the Code of Conduct and Operational Guide issued by a Principal; and vii. Prompt reporting to the Principal of all suspicious activities or incidences that occur at the Agent's location. 15
9.3 RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPER AGENTS
The Super Agent shall be responsible for:
9.3.1 Recruiting and aggregating Agents for a Principal and be wholly responsible
and liable for all actions or omissions of Agents aggregated under its platform;
9.3.2 Monitoring and supervising the activities of the Agents aggregated on behalf of
the Principals and at a minimum, the Super Agent shall implement appropriate technologies for monitoring online real time activities of Agents;
9.3.3 Management of Agents and ensuring compliance by Agents with the provisions
of Section 9.2.
9.3.4 Conducting routine and periodic review of Agents' transactions and activities
and carrying out regular visits to Agent locations to monitor Agents' activities;
9.3.5 Ensuring that the agreed location of the Agent is properly branded;
9.3.6 Implementing measures to control operational risks, including having clause(s)
in the contract establishing the liabilities of the Agent;
9.3.7 Taking all other measures to ensure that Agents operate strictly within the
requirements of the law, regulations, and the contract;
9.3.8 For Agents onboarded through the Super Agent, it is the responsibility of such
Super Agent to conduct periodic trainings for the Agents:
i. To keep them abreast of the Principal's pricing model, product features, new
initiatives and other activities in agency banking business; and
ii. To provide AML/CFT/CPF trainings relating to proper identification of
customers, confidentiality of information, record keeping, and financial education.
9.3.9 The Principal and Super Agent shall maintain a list of Agent(s) in its network
that have been blacklisted, watch-listed, found guilty of regulatory infractions or convicted of any financial crimes and AML/CFT/CPF breaches or offences.
9.4 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PAYMENTS TERMINAL SERVICE AGGREGATOR
(PTSA)
Where a PoS terminal is deployed for the purpose of Agent banking services, PTSA(s) shall have the following responsibilities:
i.
Registration of the PoS to be deployed to an Agent on its platform; Classified as Confidential 16
ii. Facilitation of geo-fencing or geo-location of the PoS terminals to be
deployed to Agents;
iii. Integration of its Terminal Management System (TMS) with the CBN
Automated Regulatory Data Solutions (CARDS) to ensure unique identification of Agents and/or their terminals on CARDS.
iv. Submit monthly report of transactions to the CBN in line with extant
requirements on connectivity to PTSAs
V. Provide monthly returns on the number of PoS/Super Agents registered and
operating within their geo-location
9.5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CBN
9.5.1 The CBN shall be responsible for:
i.
Licensing and regulation of the financial institutions authorised to carry out Agent banking activities;
ii. Supervising agent banking operations of the Principal and Super- Agents;
iii. Developing and issuing Guidelines on Agent Banking and related
regulations;
iv. Supporting integration of the Terminal Management System (TMS) of the
PTSA on CARDS, and
v. Imposing sanctions for breach of Agent Banking regulation as captured in
Section 14.0 of this Guidelines.
9.5.2 The CBN shall have full and unfettered access to the internal systems,
documents, reports, records, staff and premises (Spot or scheduled inspections) of Principals and Super- Agents.
9.5.3 Notwithstanding the responsibility on Principals to monitor and supervise their
Agents, the CBN may at any time, exercise regulatory and supervisory powers over the Agents and may request for such data or information or carry out such inspection as it deems necessary, in respect of Agent banking operations.
10.0 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The following operational requirements are necessary for Agent Banking operations:
10.1 DEDICATED AGENT ACCOUNTS
Classified as Confidential
17 i.
Agent banking transactions shall be conducted through a dedicated account/wallet with the Principal for enhanced visibility. ii. The payment terminals such as PoS devices deployed to the Agent shall be linked to the dedicated Agent account/wallet only. iii. Agent operations conducted outside the dedicated account shall be considered a violation of this Guidelines. The Agent shall be personally liable for any misconduct, fraud or related offences arising therefrom, and shall be a ground for termination of the Agent banking agreement, and black/watch-listing of such an Agent.
10.2 PUBLICATION OF LIST OF AGENTS AND LOCATIONS
i.
Principals shall publish an updated list of all their Agents on their websites. ii. Each branch of the Principal shall display the list of its Agents in that branch's locality, if any. iii. At all times, a Super Agent shall have fifty (50) or more Agents spread across the geo-political zones of the country.
10.3 RELOCATION AND CLOSURE OF AGENT PREMISES
i.
No Agent shall relocate from, transfer, or close its Agent banking premises without prior notice and approval of the Principal. ii. The Principal and Super Agent (as applicable) shall maintain records of Agents' locations or Agent banking premises, which shall be updated whenever relocation is approved and implemented. iii. An Agent who wishes to relocate from its premises shall notify in writing, the Principal and Super Agent (as applicable) of its intention to relocate, transfer, or close the Agent banking premises at least thirty (30) days or such other period as may be agreed upon in the Agent Banking Agreement. iv. A copy of such notice of intention to relocate or close the Agent banking premises shall be posted visibly at the Agent's business premises, throughout the notice period, to serve as notice to the customers.
10.4 REAL TIME TRANSACTIONS
To facilitate real time transactions completed by an Agent, the Principal shall:
i.
Deploy technology that facilitates real time transactions and instant payments to the end users accounts; Classified as Confidential 18 ii. Ensure that all transactions carried out within the Agent banking operations are done on a real time basis; and iii. Provide its Agents with settlement positions for reconciliation of transactions.
10.5 MINIMUM ICT REQUIREMENTS
The technology implemented by the Principal for Agent banking operations shall comply with relevant industry ICT standards as below:
i. Transaction information is transmitted in a secure manner;
ii.
The technology deployed comprises a set of interoperable infrastructure modules that work seamlessly with the payments infrastructure; iii. There shall be end-to-end connection between Principals and their Agents; iv. Customers get immediate value for successful transactions; V. Payment instructions are instantly executed. In the event of failure of technology during a transaction, immediate reversal shall be mandatory; vi. Generate receipts or acknowledgements for successful transactions;
vii. Automatically prevent an Agent from exceeding the daily limit allowed or
performing unauthorized transactions;
viii. Automatic rejections of suspicious transactions;
ix.
Audit trail is electronically maintained to support internal control functions, dispute resolution and regulatory oversight; Χ. All settlement information details are preserved for a minimum period of five (5) years or as prescribed by relevant extant law, whichever is of longer duration; xi. Adequate measures be put in place to mitigate all the risks that could arise from the deployment and use of its Agent banking IT systems;
xii. Generate reports as maybe required from time to time;
xiii. Alerts received by the customer for Agent banking transactions shall
identify the Agent's name and geo-coordinates of place of transaction; and
xiv. There shall be a minimum of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) per
customer, per transaction.
10.6 DATA AND NETWORK SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
Principals shall put in place systems that specifically, and at the minimum, address the following issues:
i.
Physical and logical security of infrastructure; Classified as Confidential 19 ii. Availability of services; iii. Data confidentiality and integrity; iv. Encryption of PIN and electronic transactions; V. Customer accountability and non-repudiation of transactions; and vi. Error messaging and exception handling.
10.7 RISK MANAGEMENT
The Principal shall:
i.
Have responsibility to develop and implement risk management policies and procedures for Agent banking activities