CBN LIMITS CARD ISSUING, MERCHANT ACQUIRING MARKET SHARE FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. (PHOTO).
CBN limits card issuing, merchant acquiring market share for financial institutions The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced new measures aimed at curbing market concentration in the country’s payments ecosystem, including limits on the market share operators can hold across card issuing and merchant acquiring services. Card issuing refers to the provision of payment cards to customers, while merchant acquiring involves processing card payments on behalf of businesses. In a circular signed by Rakiya Yusuf, director of the payments system supervision department, on Monday, the apex bank said the measures are aimed at addressing concerns over market concentration, operational dependence, systemic importance and the localisation of payment transaction data. The CBN said rapid growth in electronic payments and digital financial services has increased the market presence of some operators, raising concerns about competition and resilience in the sector. “Accordingly, the CBN he...
