CBN sets N15k transaction limit for contactless payments

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced new transaction limits for contactless payments in the country, effective June 27, 2023.

According to the CBN’s Guidelines on Contactless Payments in Nigeria, contactless payments through accounts or wallets in Nigeria will have a transaction limit of N15,000 and a daily cumulative limit of N50,000.

This means that customers can make contactless payments of up to N15,000 per transaction and up to N50,000 per day without entering their PIN or biometric verification.

The circular was signed by Musa Jimoh, the Director Payment Systems Management of CBN.

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The move is aimed at enhancing the security and convenience of contactless payments which uses technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and Quick Response (QR) codes to enable customers to pay without physical contact with the merchant or the payment terminal.

However, for higher value contactless payments that exceed these limits, customers will be required to provide appropriate verification and authorisation such as their PIN or biometric data.

The CBN said that for these transactions, the existing Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements and limits on the electronic payment channels would apply.

The CBN also stated that contactless payments above the stipulated daily cumulative limit of N50,000 would have to be conducted using contact-based technology such as inserting or swiping the card on the payment terminal.

The CBN said that the new transaction limits were in line with its mandate to promote a safe and efficient payment system in Nigeria and to protect the interests of consumers and other stakeholders in the industry.

The CBN also issued extensive guidelines on the operations of contactless payment in Nigeria.