‘Change your policy on diaspora remittances’ – Mobile money group pleads with CBN 

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By Francis Ogwo

A mobile money Cartel, the Association of Licensed Mobile Payments Operators (ALMPO) has pleaded with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reverse its policy directive on payment of diaspora remittances, NAN reports.

Recall that the apex bank had recently made a policy ordering disapora remittances to be made in dollars

The group therefore wants the policy changed claiming that it limits the number of Nigerians that can access the funds.

The Chairman of ALMPO, Mr. Jay Alabrabra, was quoted as saying

“The CBN’s decision to restrict international remittances to USD payouts only is the overarching concern of everyone. It certainly limits the number of Nigerian citizens that can conveniently access funds sent from the diaspora. I sincerely hope that CBN reconsiders its position on this, and re-allow Naira payments in cash or into accounts or wallets.”

Speaking further, Alabrabra stated that the CBN’s instruction was a “serious worry” for their business and suggested that the apex bank’s decision may have been a temporary measure.

Alabrabra also said that the apex bank’s decision, which had caused serious worry for Mobile Money Operators, had challenged the Industry association to further engage with CBN on the issues.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in December 16th issued additional guidelines for diaspora remittances in the country citing infractions of its previous circular. It blamed mobile payment operators for flouting its directives for operators to pay remittances in dollars accusing them of paying in naira.

According to the CBN, despite spelling out procedures “regrettably, a few operators continue to pay remittances in local currency contrary to the regulatory directive” and then issued instructions amongst which includes the following: That all MMOs are required to immediately disable wallets from receipt of funds from IMTOs.

Payment service providers are directed to cease integrating their systems with IMTOs going forward and must prevent the comingling of remittances with other legitimate transactions.

On November 30th, the CBN stated that beneficiaries of Diaspora Remittances through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) shall henceforth receive such inflows in foreign currency (US Dollars) through the designated bank of their choice.

Reports say their plea was to save them from a cut from their source of revenue as the CBN decision had affected the revenue of their members.

Apart from cutting them instructing them from not paying in naira, the decision shuts out any potential margin they may have made from forex exchanges, thus, restricting their revenue to only commissions on transfers.

The operators have also been told to disable wallets and directed to cease integrating their systems with IMTOs.

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