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E-Financial

CBN Releases Regulatory Guidelines for eNaira

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Following the launch of the enaira by the President, Muhamadu Buhari  the application for the digital currency introduced by the CBN has become available for download, with more than 5,000 downloads within hours of the launch.

This is as the apex bank released regulatory guidelines which stipulate that charges for transactions that originate from the eNaira platform will be free in the first 90 days commencing from October 25.

After this period, applicable charges as outlined in the Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-bank Financial Institutions will become effective.

The eNaira speed wallet app meant for individuals had at 4pm seen more than 5,000 downloads while the eNaira speed merchant wallet had seen close to 1,000 downloads.

According to the regulatory and issuance guidelines, banks will automatically be onboarded by the CBN while merchants will be onboarded once they download the app and individuals will have to onboard by themselves.

The guideline revealed that there would be different wallets for different stakeholders.

“The eNaira stock wallet belongs solely to the CBN and it shall warehouse all minted eNaira,” the guideline stated.

It said that financial institutions were expected to maintain one treasury eNaira wallet to warehouse eNaira received from the CBN eNaira stock wallet.

“Financial Institutions (FI) may create eNaira sub-treasury wallets for branches tied to it and fund them from its single eNaira treasury wallet with the CBN and FI may create eNaira branch sub-wallets for its branches.

“The eNaira branch subwallet shall be funded from the treasury eNaira wallet.

“eNaira Merchant speed wallets shall be used solely for receiving and making eNaira payments for goods and services. eNaira speed wallets shall be available for end users to transact on the eNaira platform.”

To ensure security of funds, the eNaira is expected to have two-factor authentication and other measures.

Meanwhile, daily transaction limits for Tier 0, which is just phone number without verified National Identity Number was set at N20,00 with a balance limit of N120,000.

Tier1 category, which has a verified number has an N50,000 transaction limit and N300,000 balance limit.

Tier2 and Tier3 categories have daily transaction limits of N200,000 and N1 million as well as a N500,000 and N5 million balance limits while merchants have no limit.

According to a circular signed by Mr Chibuzo Efobi, the CBN director Financial Policy and Regulation Department, the eNaira will compliment cash as a less costly, more efficient, generally acceptable safe and trusted means of payment and store of value.

“Additionally, it will improve monetary policy effectiveness, enhance government’s capacity to deploy targeted social interventions, provide an alternative less costly channel for collection of government revenue and boost remittances through formal channels.

“The guidelines seek to provide simplicity in the operation of the eNaira, encourage general acceptability and use, promote low cost of transactions, drive financial inclusion while minimizing inherent risks of disintermediation or any negative impact on the financial system,” it reads in part.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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E-Financial

EFCC Drags Cititrust to Court over Unreported ₦200mTransfers

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Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed July 1, 2025, for the commencement of trial in a money laundering case involving Cititrust Holdings PLC and three of its subsidiaries.

EFCC Drags Cititrust to Court over Unreported ₦200mTransfers

The subsidiaries are Cititrust Funding PLC, Cititrust Credit Limited and Cititrust Financial Services Limited,

The companies are facing an eight-count charge filed by a team of prosecutors from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), comprising Anasoh Henry Onyekachi, Frankklin Ofoma, Abdulhamid Lamido Tukur, and A.A. Usman.

According to the charge, between 2021 and 2023, the companies, all incorporated in Nigeria, allegedly operated investment management services without a valid licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

This act contravenes Section 57 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and is punishable under Section 57(5) of the same legislation.

The prosecution also alleged that the companies conducted a Collective Investment Scheme without registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), another violation of regulatory requirements.

In one of the counts, Cititrust Credit Limited is specifically accused of failing to report high-value financial transactions to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

These transactions include a N20 million transfer on January 7, 2021; a N200 million transfer on April 4, 2021; and a N200 million lodgement on January 29, 2021.

Additionally, both Cititrust Credit Limited and Cititrust Financial Services Limited are alleged to have made a single transfer and lodgement respectively of N42 million into their bank accounts on January 29, 2021, without proper disclosure to relevant authorities.

The alleged offences are in breach of Sections 11(1)(b) and 11(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2022, as well as Section 54(1) of the Investment and Securities Act 2007, and are punishable under the respective laws.

The court is expected to begin full proceedings on July 1.

 


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E-Financial

S&P Global Ratings Downgrades Ecobank Nigeria’s Credit Rating to CCC-, Outlook Negative

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Ecobank Nigeria’s long-term issuer credit rating has been downgraded to ‘CCC-’ from CCC, with the outlook placed at negative by S&P Global Ratings. This is a resultant effect of the $150 million bond buyback offer on the bank’s $300 million Senior Unsecured Eurobond.

Part of the tender offer made by Ecobank includes an early tender premium of $12.50 for every $1,000 in principal (equivalent to 1.25%), with the anticipated settlement date set for July 8, 2025. The offer also requests bondholders’ consent to eliminate the capital adequacy covenant on the outstanding notes.

These actions also led S&P to downgrade the $300 million Eurobond from ‘CCC’ to ‘CCC-’. Although S&P notes that it does not consider the tender offer a distressed debt restructuring.

However, this assessment is at risk of changing if the bank does not receive the promised capital injection from the parent group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

Following the naira devaluation, Ecobank was unable to meet the regulatory Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) requirement, as its CAR dropped to 7 per cent. This was below the 10 percent regulatory minimum. The breach of the CAR caused the bank to seek the consent of its bondholders to pause the capital adequacy notes on the Eurobond notes till September 2025.

Following this development, the bank received a $50 million prepayment on promissory notes from its parent company, ETI, along with early repayments on certain foreign currency loans. However, it has been insufficient in restoring the capital adequacy to regulatory levels.

According to S&P, the bank is expected to receive another $50 million capital injection from its parent group before August 2025. However, the ratings agency notes that if the bank is unable to receive this capital injection, it will inevitably default on its bonds. A situation that would cause a further downgrade to ‘CC’.

It was recommended that Ecobank Nigeria consider raising $150 million through additional Tier-1 instruments to strengthen its liquidity buffers. Additionally, the bank was advised to intensify efforts to recover its foreign currency-denominated loans.

 


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E-Financial

Sofri Rejigs Digital Platforms for Better Customer Experience

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L–r: General Manager, Sofri (Powered by Links Microfinance Bank), Frank Ayala; Managing Director, Sofri (Powered by Links Microfinance Bank), Paul Adebayo; and Chief Marketing Officer, Sofri (Powered by Links Microfinance Bank), Afeez Abass at the Sofri relaunch media parley held in DLM HQ, Lagos.
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Sofri, Powered by Links Microfinance Bank plans a massive rollout of Point of Sale, PoS terminals for merchants and agency banking in the third quarter of this year.

This is coming against the backdrop of the banks revamp of its digital platforms to support better customer experience.

Paul Adebayo, managing director, Sofri, said the bank is technology and purpose-driven, with focus on financial inclusion and sustainability. As well with the determination of making banking simpler, inclusive, and impactful.

He said that the revamped mobile app features, faster onboarding, cleaner interface, real-time alerts, enhanced security and seamless loan applications.

“Our corporate internet banking Launched for SMEs and institutional clients features, secure payments, transfers, account management and enhances business banking experience.

“Laying the groundwork for greater reliability, product innovation and operational efficiency is our new core banking infrastructure. This change enables us to scale faster and serve customers better.

“Our Terminal Management System (TMS) improves the performance, uptime, and remote monitoring of our POS terminals. This ensures merchants and field agents enjoy better stability, quicker settlements, and stronger support,” he added.

On sustainability impact, Adebayo, added that Sofri is embedding ESG principles into its lending and operational models — from offering green financing options, to supporting waste-to-wealth entrepreneurs, and making inclusive finance part of Nigeria’s circular economy.

Sofri is a trademark of Links Microfinance Limited (Links Mfb). Links Mfb is licensed and regulated by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and deposits insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). Links Mfb is a member of DLM Capital Group, owners of DLM Asset Management as regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).


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