Opay, Moniepoint To Charge Customers N50 Fee On Transfers Over ₦10,000

In compliance with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) regulations, Nigerian fintech giants Opay and Moniepoint have announced the introduction of an ₦50 fee on electronic money transfers exceeding ₦10,000.
The new levy, set to take effect on September 9, 2024, will apply to both personal and business transactions, marking a significant change for millions of users who rely on these platforms for day-to-day financial services.

Opay and Moniepoint communicated the change via a customer notice titled “FGN Electronic Money Transfer Levy,” which has been circulating since Saturday.
The companies explained that the ₦50 fee will be applied to each electronic transfer of ₦10,000 or more, by the Federal Government’s taxation guidelines.
Opay emphasized that the fee is solely for the government and does not benefit the fintech firms.
"Please be informed that Opay does not benefit from this charge in any way as it is directed entirely to the Federal Government," the company stated in its message to customers.

This new charge is in line with the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), introduced as part of the Finance Act 2020. The EMTL mandates a flat N50 levy on electronic receipts or transfers of funds over ₦10,000. It applies to transactions processed through any money transfer or payment system, whether by banks, fintech companies, or other financial platforms. The EMTL is a key part of the government's strategy to diversify its revenue sources, which are critical to funding public services and infrastructure projects.

In recent years, Opay and Moniepoint have become indispensable to many Nigerians, particularly businesses seeking reliable financial platforms. Their low transaction fees and high success rates have attracted a large customer base, especially during the recent cash shortages. Both platforms have offered swift transaction processing and immediate alerts, helping businesses maintain operational cash flow.

Moniepoint, recognized by the Financial Times as Africa’s fastest-growing fintech company, and Opay, a major player in the Nigerian fintech ecosystem, have become key players in the country’s financial technology revolution. However, the introduction of this levy represents a shift in the cost structure for users, especially those who rely on these platforms for frequent large transactions.
As the government seeks new revenue streams to meet its financial obligations, fintech users will need to adjust to the additional cost of higher-value transfers.