Wednesday, September 25, 2013

CBN may license telcos for mobile money


Anthony Nwakaegho/DigitalSENSE Business News

Indications have emerged that the Nigeria telecoms operator are on their way  to  being considered by the apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) to participate actively in the mobile money scheme that was introduced in 2011.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that the reprieve may be coming to the telcoson the heels of the ongoing talks between the telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the CBN on how to streamline the policy that will accommodate the telecommunications operators in the running of the scheme.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that at inception of the mobile money initiative in Nigeria it was hinged on a banking model which creates a lee way for only financial institutions to obtain licences for the scheme.

The Head, Product and Business Development, First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Paul Mosimabale, revealed this at the NigeriaCom 2013while discuss “the evolution and particularities of the Nigeria mobile money market, remaining challenges and opportunities.” He opined that the apex bank involvement of telecos will help banks to have control on the telecos dealers and customer care outlets as mobile money agent networks.
He canvassed that the two regulators, CBN and NCC should come up with a policy framework that will enhance the operation and increase the enlightenment of Nigerians on the operation of the scheme.

He lamented that most agents are unwilling to undertake the mobile money transactions due to the low amount of commission that come from the transaction.      

First Bank of Nigeria also gathered from the submission of the Principal Associate, Mobile Money Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Okoegwale, that mobile money is a mass market product that also needs a mass access channels to reach all market segments.
DigitalSENSE Business News
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pix:CBN Gov.Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,

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