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IT in Banking

Nigerian Banks Restrict USSD Transaction On MTN Over Commission

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, SiliconNigeria

Nigerian banks have restricted transactions on USSD channels with Nigeria’s biggest mobile network operator, MTN Nigeria over a dispute on vending commission rate.

This restriction which took effect on April 1, 2021 was a result of the reduction of commission accruable to telecommunication Value Added Services (VAS) Aggregators and banks from 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

The aggregators alleged that had on March 31 informed them about the reduction in the commission earned by them which took effect the following day. Both the aggregators and the banks were uncomfortable with the new rate and the banks decided to restrict USSD channel transactions with MTN Nigeria to show their annoyance.

This new dimension is a dent on the recent resolution by both the telecommunications and banking industry regulators, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the USSD dispute which has lingered since 2019.

One of the aggregators alleged that MTN was bent on playing a dominant role in the digital financial services subsector in Nigeria and would do anything to limit the influence of the banks.   

Reaction to the development, a telecom industry source who pleaded anonymity as he was not authorised to speak on the matter informed SiliconNigeria that “The overnight suspension of airtime sales by some of the banks was not restricted to USSD channels alone, but includes airtime purchases through all banking channels – bank apps, bank USSD codes, even debit cards.”

Another source, said “The current dispute by the banks and the telecom industry is as a result of the debt of N42 billion owed telecom operators by banks. They want to surreptitiously factor it into a new price regime so that customers will unknowingly help them pay what they had already billed them. Of course, we refused, which is why they are fighting us now. USSD has not been cut by MTN.”

According to him, banks did not send a formal communication to customers or to MTN before taking this action. With their action, the banks are denying customers from accessing their money to make legitimate purchases/transactions. The banks are willing to cut off services to customers in order to protect profits.”

In the last four years, the banks have made:

Bank Turnover     Bank/ Earnings: 

2017  – N148b/N8b        5.5%;

2018  – N240b/N13b      5.5%;

2019  – N320b/N14b      4.5%;

2020 –         N470b/N18b        4%;

2021 – Projected  N652b/N20b        4% Q1 & 2.5% YE.

The NCC had in 2018 carried out the licensing of Value Added Services (VAS) Aggregators in the bid to improve the service delivery framework and improve consumer satisfaction on value-added services. The framework was to ensure that telecom subscribers truly get added value when they sign up for such services, and that all stakeholders along the value chain are treated equitably so that the industry can grow.

The Commission had licenced about 233 registered operators in the VAS segment of the telecoms industry. It allocated Short Codes to the 233 VAS licencees for the provision of different VAS services which has immensely enhanced service delivery in the Nigerian telecom and financial services industries. 

For instances, you can now recharge your mobile phone line, pay utility bills, make mobile Payments through VAS platforms. VAS has thus made life simple, contributed to the promotion of the financial inclusion policy of the government and facilitated the creation of wealth for many Nigerians. 

According to the Executive commissioner, technical services, NCC, Engr. Ubale Maska, ““Anything outside your telephone call or text message we consider it as VAS. It is good for the industry because it has brought a lot of convenience.For instance, you can sit down and transfer money to any account with short codes without going to the bank to queue.”

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IT in Banking

G20 Unveils SLAs for Cross-border Payment

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The G20 has identified service level agreements (SLAs) as a priority in helping to achieve its targets in cross-border payment by end-2027. The SLAs define minimum service levels for correspondent banking relationships, the links between payment systems and payment instrument rulebooks.

This can help to meet the G20 goals of making cross-border payments cheaper, faster, more transparent and more accessible, while also ensuring their safety.

The report contains high-level recommendations, key features and guiding questions to inform parties involved in such arrangements. Payment service providers, correspondent banks and/or payment system operators are encouraged to consider the recommendations when establishing new agreements or reviewing existing ones.

The recommendations, key features and guiding questions were informed by a year-long interaction with public and private stakeholders. The recommendations were deliberately kept at a high level. They should not put an undue burden on new and smaller payment arrangements, while still contributing to increased harmonization of new and existing agreements.

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Financial

QNET Creates Initiative To Increase Financial Inclusion In Youth Communities 

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Global e-commerce based direct selling company, QNET is working to increase financial inclusion in youth communities through its signature educational programme called FinGreen.

FinGreen aims to boost financial inclusion in underserved communities by empowering individuals with the skills required to be financially confident, aware, and savvy through its three pillars: assessing target communities, training them, and transforming participants into financial literacy advocates.

One of the programme’s first ambassadors, Anuoluwapo Ayoola, is sharing her newly gained financial skills and knowledge with 70 university students at a workshop she organised in Abuja about educating other young people about the importance of financial literacy as an essential life skill.

She said, “I am thrilled to have organised a financial literacy workshop at the University of Abuja, with the generous support of QNET. Financial literacy is not just about managing money. It’s about creating a better future for ourselves and future generations. As an ambassador of FinGreen, I’m excited for more opportunities to educate my peers on why financial education and literacy are so important!”

Ayoola based her financial literacy workshop on campus at the University of Abuja on the insights and understanding she gained as part of the pilot cohort to complete the first phase of FinGreen trainings, which kicked off in Nigeria in June of 2022. She designed the first module of her workshop to challenge the assumptions on financial literacy, educating the 70 participants on how they can adjust their mindset to utilise financial knowledge for their benefit.

The second module drew on Ayoola’s experience as a student, where she shared practical strategies and tips on how participants can manage their finances as students and as working adults. This will be crucial to help participants manage their financial sustainability and investment, seeing as many Nigerian students bear significant debt due to the increasing cost of tertiary education.

Mr. Biram Fall, the regional general Manager of QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “We are honoured to support Anu Ayoola and the University of Abuja’s Financial Literacy Workshop. With the constantly shifting financial landscape and the digitisation of financial services, young people need to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their money. Not just that, we want to continue helping young people, like Anu Ayoola, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and foster a sense of responsibility and leadership through FinGreen.”

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Africa Region

Inlaks Wins ICT Company of The Year Award

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Leading ICT infrastructure, and systems integrator, in sub-Saharan Africa, Inlaks has emerged as the ICT Company of The Year at the fourth edition of the Ghana Business Standard Awards (GBSA).

The Awards organized by KN Unique Communications, to celebrate businesses committed to remarkable standards in their sectors, and industry leaders breaking barriers of excellence across Ghana was held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel with the theme ‘Celebrating Organisations Committed to Remarkable Business Standards Geared Toward Sustainable Growth’.

The GBSA recognises standard-makers, excellence achievers, responsible organisations, andindividuals who adhere to local business requirements while consistently improving their performance. It provides a platform to enhance standard processes, services, product delivery, and the improvement of existing business practices in Ghana. Inlaks won the award for its outstanding achievements in providing customer-centric IT solutions to its customers while adhering to standard practices.

Speaking on the Award, Chief Executive Officer, Inlaks, Kyari Bukar said:

Inlaks complies with effective business standards and good governance in its operations. This has been impactful in our growth and ongoing success in enhancing the ICT sector. The resilience and passion of the team in serving our customers is a priority and we will not relent in our efforts to thrive on a customer-first platform. The company is appreciative of this award and is grateful to the organisers for recognizing our performance.

Inlaks, partners with Original Equipment Manufacturers in the technology industry to provide world-class information technology solutions. Over the years, the firm has built a reputation for effectively helping its clientele with new markets and service opportunities.

Also, commenting, Country Manager, Inlaks Ghana, Yacoba Amuah said:

This recognition speaks further to our efficiency in our standards of corporate excellence and delivery to our customers. Inlaks is honoured to be recognized for its good performance while enhancing growth for clients.  We appreciate the dedication of our staff and partners who have made this possible. We are future-focused and continue to support businesses to achieve their goals in Ghana and beyond.

The Ghana Business Standard Awards celebrate organisations committed to exceptional business standards in their sectors and industry leaders breaking barriers of excellence across the Ghanaian business region and the world at large.

Inlaks is a leading systems integrator in Sub-Saharan Africa. With operations in Nigeria, Ghana, East Africa and other Sub-Saharan African regions, the company partners with leading OEMs in the technology industry to provide world-class information technology solutions that exceed the needs of its customers. 

Over the years, Inlaks has built a reputation as the foremost ICT and Infrastructure Solutions Provider, helping customers effectively seize new market and service opportunities. 

With an impressive customer base that includes six Central Banks in West Africa, 18 of the 24 banks in Nigeria, and other major customers in the West African region, Inlaks has become the dominant Information Technology Company in Africa.

Inlaks’ customers cut across various segments including Banking, Telecommunication, Oil/Gas, Power, Utilities, and the Distribution sectors of the economy.

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