From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant review of the documentation requirements for transactions conducted through the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS) in Nigeria.
CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali (Mrs), said the initiative is part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to foster seamless intra-African trade, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency for Nigerians engaging in cross-border payments within Africa.
Launched by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in January 2022, PAPSS serves as a centralised payment and settlement platform that enables instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions throughout Africa. By facilitating payments in local currencies, PAPSS minimises reliance on third-party currencies, reduces transaction costs, and supports the rapid expansion of trade under the AfCFTA.
In a recent circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/006 issued on April 28, 2025, CBN outlined the key changes to the documentation requirements associated with PAPSS transactions.
The key changes which take effect immediately include:
“Simplified Documentation for Low-Value Transactions: Customers may now use basic KYC and AML documents provided to their Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) for low-value transactions (USD2,000 and USD5,000 equivalent in Naira for Individuals and corporations, respectively). For transactions above the thresholds, all documentation as stipulated in the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual and related circulars remains mandatory.
“Responsibility of Applicants: Applicants are responsible for ensuring all regulatory documents are available to facilitate the clearance of goods, as required by relevant government agencies.
“Foreign Exchange Sourcing: Authorised Dealer Banks may now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements through the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (without recourse to the CBN).
“Export Proceeds: All export proceeds repatriated via PAPSS shall be certified by the relevant processing banks.”
While directing all banks to adopt PAPSS and commence originating transactions in line with the new policy, the apex bank urged exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarise themselves with the new requirements and leverage PAPSS for cross-border transactions within Africa.
