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Latest POS Charges List in Nigeria 2024

September 16, 2024

The charges on Points of Sale in Nigeria are constantly changing, especially as 2024 begins. Due to recent changes, consumers and businesses need to understand what the POS charges list will look like immediately.

With Nigeria’s increasing adaptation to a cashless economy, POS charges in Nigeria have changed greatly, especially for withdrawals and transactions.

The recent changes mean that the service charge is determined by the amount one deposits or withdraws. This slash structure aims to ease operations for POS operators while reflecting the current economic reality.

Apart from that, the POS charges for withdrawals and transactions should be essential to anyone using these facilities. It is paramount that consumers know how much they pay for every transaction they make, considering that fees keep increasing.

In this post, we shall delve a little deeper into the POS charge list and show how they are reflected in your daily transactions. 

Going into the nitty-gritty of these various POS charges for transactions, the point remains that information is key to staying ahead in Nigeria’s changing financial landscape. Now, let’s get into it!

What Factors Influence POS Charges in Nigeria?

Numerous factors come into play when discussing the POS charges in Nigeria. The fees vary based on the supplier and the type of transaction. Some of the major determining factors in the fees are as follows:

1. Amount of transaction

Most transactions via POS are tiered based on the amount being withdrawn or deposited. The ones with lower amounts, below ₦5,000, usually have lower flat rates, usually ₦20-₦100; the others, above ₦10,000, have percentages on amounts, usually around 0.5-0.75%.

2. Operator’s cost

The operators must also bear increased expenses, including data, fuel, maintenance, and anti-money laundering compliance. These increasing costs have forced them to increase the charges in order to keep a profit.

3. Competition and Regulation

Consolidated price lists published by industry associations like AMMBAN have saved situations of fraud and overcharge foisted on some operators.

However, depending on their location and clientele base, operators’ rates can be lower than those on the price list.

4. Economic Factors

The removal of the fuel subsidy, among other economic issues, has seen the cost of operating a POS business rise, which means POS charges for transactions have continued to be passed on to consumers.

5. Limits on withdrawal

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless economy policy and ATM withdrawal restrictions have increased demand for point-of-sale (POS) systems. Owners have, in turn, increased their charges to absorb the volume increase.

These factors are crucial determinants of the POS charges for transactions in Nigeria. Operators are compromising between profitability and customers’ affordability.

Read Also – Easy Guide: How to Register your POS Business with CAC Nigeria Online

How Do POS Charges Affect Cashless Transactions?

All these charges have significant implications to cashless exercise in Nigeria. Having embarked on the adoption of the POS terminal as a result of the Central Bank’s cashless policy, it appears that this has become a rather common phenomenon in most of the Nigerian cities.

And yet, the charges attached to it tend to discourage the consumer. A charge of 1. 25% per transaction and N5 commission for every N1000 withdrawn is a lot of money that accumulates quickly. 

There are purchase charges and withdrawal charges, which is why many are developing the habit of using POS terminals rather than ATMs for cash. 

Though this makes the electronic transactions slightly easier, the charges add yet another cost to be incurred when transacting through cash. 

In turn, this has had a contrary effect in many areas: It has extended the amount of cash utilizing POS terminals since access to ATMs is quite restricted. 

It is crucial for both the consumer and the business, particularly given the rising embrace of electronic means of payment in Nigeria, hence the adoption of POS charges. 

What is the Latest POS Charges List in Nigeria for 2024?

POS Charges List

The following are the POS charges list in Nigeria for 2024, released by the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, AMMBAN. Here’s a summary of the POS charges for transactions:

POS charges for Deposit 

AmountCharges
₦1,000 to ₦4,900 ₦100 
 ₦5,000 to ₦10,900 ₦200 
 ₦11,000 to ₦20,900 ₦300 
 ₦21,000 to ₦30,900 ₦400 
₦31,000 to ₦40,900 ₦500 
 ₦41,000 to ₦50,000₦600 
POS Charges List

 POS charges for Withdrawal 

AmountCharges
 ₦1,000 to ₦2,400₦100 
 ₦2,500 to ₦4,000 ₦200 
 ₦4,100 to ₦6,400 ₦300 
 ₦6,100 to ₦7,400₦400 
 ₦7,500 to ₦10,900 ₦500 
 ₦11,000 to ₦14,400₦600 
 ₦14,500 to ₦17,900₦700 
 ₦18,000 to ₦20,000 ₦800 
POS Charges List

These changes are to regulate the charges and discourage the exploitation of POS agents in Nigeria due to increasing economic pressure.

Also Read – How to get a POS Terminal Machine for POS Business in Nigeria

How Do POS Charges Compare Between Banks and Independent Operators?

POS charges in Nigeria depend on the kind of affiliation that the POS provider has and, in other cases, with the bank that the POS belongs to in Nigeria. Here’s a comparison of their typical charges:

1. Bank POS Charges 

  • Withdrawal which is less than ₦20,000 carries a fee of 0. In case of any transaction that is executed, the fees should not exceed 5% of the amount of that specific transaction. 
  • For anything above ₦20,000, the fee is a flat fee of ₦100. 
  • Transfers of an amount below ₦10,000 attract a fee of ₦30. 
  • A deposit of ₦5,000 or less attracts a fee of ₦10, while a deposit that is between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 attracts a flat rate fee of ₦20. Transfers that exceed ₦10,000 are ₦30. 

2. Independent POS Operator Charges 

Baxi POS Charges: 

  • The withdrawal charge is zero, but some fees may be charged based on the withdrawal method that a trader will be using. 50% for cash of less than ₦20,000 with flat rate of ₦100 for all amounts of N20,000 – N100,000. 
  • ₦150 on all amounts equal to and above ₦100, 000 for all-next-day customers. 
  • These include no deposit charges, money transfers or any bill payment. 

Moniepoint POS Charges

  • 0.5% of the transaction amount for withdrawals between ₦1 – ₦20,000.
  • A flat rate of ₦100 for every transaction above ₦20,000.
  • A flat rate charge of ₦20 for transfers. 

Key Differences 

Smaller merchants typically charge relatively lower withdrawal fees than dominant banking institutions. 

As previously noted, fees for issuing and using credit/debit cards are more diverse in the case of banks, meaning that both percentages and fixed amounts can depend on the transaction amount. 

Independent operators might have free deposit, transfer and bill payment facilities to attract new clients. 

One must also understand that POS charges may differ between banks and independent operators.

The companies affected should then consider the charges offered by the different providers to identify the cheap option. 

Read Also – CAC Extends The Deadline for Point-of-Sale (PoS) Operators’ Registration

What are the Latest Government Regulations on POS Charges in Nigeria?

As agreed in Article 17 of the draft partnership agreement of the United States of Africa, which shall be effective from 2024, the Nigerian government and the central bank of Nigeria will continue to regulate the POS charges list and ensure that POS operators offer competitive and transparent charges. 

Withdrawal and transaction fees, which are typically under the POS, have also gone up recently, with the service fee depending on the amount.

For instance, if a client makes a withdrawal of up to N1,000, the cost will be N100, whereas amounts between N18,000 and N20,000 will attract a charge of N800. 

The CBN encourages POS operators to set reasonable POS charges in Nigeria, particularly rural areas, to promote financial inclusion. 

Excessive fees can be reported to the Consumer Protection Department for review. This regulatory framework aims to balance the interests of operators and consumers amid rising costs and economic challenges.

Can I Negotiate POS Charges with Agents?

POS charges cannot be negotiated with agents in Nigeria. They are usually determined by the financial institutions that offer the POS terminals to the agents, not by the agents themselves. Why is this so?

  • Standardized Fees: For POS, most banks or financial institutions determine a standard rate to avoid compromising charges from various agents. 
  • Regulatory Oversight: The CBN often intervenes with POS charges to conduct rate checks that safeguard consumers and regulate the industry. 

However, while you may ask about better rates or some kind of special offer, the given rates remain quite fixed due to the existing rules and regulations and also the terms and conditions set down in agreements between agents and their payment processors. 

Also Read – High Court Declines Motion to Reverse Billions of Naira Withdrawn from Flutterwave in PoS Fraud

What Should the User Expect in the Future?

POS charges in Nigeria, especially those relating to withdrawals and transactions, are thus still debatable. The operators and associations continue bargaining and lobbying for better and fairer tariffs. 

Due to the dynamism of the market, users should ensure that they follow any changes to the POS charges that may be made depending on the public outcry and the economic environment. 

The POS charges list is also likely to change as all stakeholders seek to make the system more open and easily understood by all the relevant users.

Final Thoughts 

Knowing about the POS charges list 2024 for those who use these services in Nigeria remains relevant. Knowing the fees can also be helpful if you need to withdraw cash or make other transactions. 

The POS charges in Nigeria are analyzed based on the amount withdrawn, and one must know this to avoid a rude shock. These charges are generally calculated at a higher rate based on the amount, which could be a reason. 

The charges on POS remain relatively low for withdrawals of small and medium amounts. However, businesses and users who often utilize POS should consider transaction charges to ensure they are not spending a lot. 

It is important to always compare each agent’s charges to ensure that you get the best rates. 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Pos charge?

POS charges refer to charges that banks or other financial institutions are likely to levy on merchants who accept payments through a Point of Sale (POS) terminal. Such charges are often based on the transaction amount as a percentage or a fixed fee. 

Is there any additional cost for transactions not going through at POS?

Normally, POS agents or the banks in question do not penalize customers for failed transactions. However, when a debit occurs, and the customer does not receive the money, the reversal may take several hours to several days. 

What are the risks of high POS charges?

This is one reason why high POS charges can be detrimental to a merchant’s profitability. They hinder customers’ use of POS terminals, thereby reducing sales. Charges also pose a serious challenge since they have a direct impact on the fees that business firms charge their clientele in the market. 

Are POS agents allowed to charge less than the newly issued price list?

In other words, POS agents have the discretion to reduce the price list depending on their region, but they are restricted from increasing it. 

Is there a new development on POS charges in Nigeria?

You can consult a specific bank or similar financial establishment to learn more about the latest prices for POS charges. This could be due to recent appropriate changes in fees or regulations that govern the institution.

Reference

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Onyinyechi Ikemefuna
Onyinyechi Ikemefuna

Ikemefuna Onyinyechi Patience, a skilled Content Writer hailing from Anambra State Nigeria, holds a Higher National Degree in microbiology from Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra. Armed with robust research and SEO expertise, she excels in crafting articles spanning technology, finance, healthcare, education, and lifestyle. Her work stands out for its ability to authentically inspire and engage while inciting action. Beyond her writing prowess, Ikemefuna finds joy in reading, exploring movies, and delving into continuous research, contributing to her growth as a proficient writer.

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