The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged financial technology companies (fintechs), payment service providers and banks in the payment system to ensure that they adhere to policy framework and standards that guide their operations.
Mr. Samuel Okojere, Director, Payment Systems Management Department, CBN, stated this Thursday in Lagos, during the launch of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited.
He explained that the CBN was trying to build an ecosystem that allows everyone to have opportunity to present and run its own system, adding that fintechs were introduced into payment system with the aim of deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria.
Okojere, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director, Payments System Policy and Oversight, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Musa Itopa Jimoh, stated that the CBN made a commitment in 2011, to bring those that are outside the banking sector closer, hence the introduction of fintech companies into payment space.
According to Okojere: “What CBN expect from the operators in the financial payment service providers is compliance with set standards, and this is the only thing that can make fintechs and payment services providers integrate to global best practices.
“If you are not complying with regulation, you cannot connect with the local one. There are rules that guide this service that we provide in Nigeria and also in the world.
“It is our joy today that our cards can go anywhere in the world and is being used. This is because we comply with the best practices, and I am happy to hear that Xpress Payments has also competed in certification on PCIDSS.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that we all behave very well within the financial ecosystem. And so compliance is a major responsibility. I want to imagine that added to that responsibility of the board members is cybercrime, you also check and ensure that you comply with all the directives of CBN. Actually, non-compliance can bring your company down.”
