By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled Nigeria Payments System Vision (PSV) 2028, for a more efficient, innovative and financially inclusive framework in the country.
Unveiling the new vision in Abuja, yesterday, the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso vowed to use the framework to accelerate the financial sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to him, “The vision is anchored on a modern Payment System which is indispensable to national growth, financial inclusion and international competitiveness. It seeks to ensure that every Nigerian participate meaningfully in the financial industry”
Cardoso said further, “Over the past two decades, Nigeria’s payments ecosystem has evolved into one of the most dynamic and innovative in the world. From instant payments and digital adoption to fintech-led innovation, our progress has often set the pace on the continent and, in several respects, compares favourably with leading global markets.
“While this progress has not always been fully reflected in global narratives, its impact on economic activity, financial inclusion, and system resilience is evident across our economy.
“At a time when the speed, security, and reach of payments increasingly define the competitiveness of nations, Nigeria’s experience demonstrates the value of sustained investment in innovation, infrastructure, and inclusion.
“The Payments System Vision 2028 (PSV 2028) builds on this strong foundation. It provides a strategic roadmap for the next phase of transformation and reflects our ambition to build a payments ecosystem that is secure, inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive.”
He acknowledged the rapidly evolving global payments system and urged collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure PSV 2028 provides an avenue of economic growth in the country.
He said, “The global payments landscape is undergoing profound change. New technologies arereshaping how value is exchanged. Digital commerce is expanding rapidly. Cross-border transactions are becoming increasingly important. Expectationsaround speed, convenience, security, and interoperability continue to rise.
“In this environment, payments are no longer merely a means of transferring funds. They are platforms for innovation, enablers of inclusion, and critical infrastructure for economic growth.
“For Nigeria, efficient payment systems reduce the cost of doing business, improve productivity, strengthen transparency, support trade, and broaden participation in economic activity. In a modern economy, payment infrastructure is not simply
a financial utility, it is a strategic national asset.
“That is why PSV 2028 matters. It is designed to ensure that Nigeria’s payments ecosystem remains secure, resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive while supporting our broader economic aspirations.
“PSV 2028 is also an important component of the broader reform agenda that the Central Bank has pursued since 2023. By strengthening the efficiency, resilience, and international connectivity of our payments ecosystem, this Vision will support ongoing efforts to stabilize the economy, facilitate trade and remittance flows, deepen investor confidence, and contribute to improvements in Nigeria’s external and Balance of Payments position over time.”
The success of the vision, according to Mr. Cardoso, would be its effective implementation and that all players in the industry, including banks, Fintech companies, the Nigerian Communications Commission and telecommunications companies must play their roles to achieve the desired objectives.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Policy of CBN, Dr. Muhammad Abdullahi, disclosed that the vision was anchored on five mutually reinforcing priorities that would strengthen payment infrastructure, deepen inclusion, foster innovation, facilitate cross-border transactions, and safeguard the integrity of the financial system.
According to him, the vision, “seeks to build interoperable, and resilient payment infrastructure capable of supporting a digital economy at scale; it prioritises financial inclusion, consumer protection, and financial literacy to ensure that individuals, households, and businesses can participate confidently and meaningfully in the formal financial system.”
The DG added that PSV 2028, “embraces innovation and emerging technologies, including open banking, digital assets, artificial intelligence and other transformative solutions that have potential to improve efficiency, expand access and unlock new economic opportunities.”
