It was launched in Lagos on Thursday during an event to
discuss the cash crunch and how the services introduced by Bullnet on the USSD
channel of the eNaira would solve the problem.
During the launch, the Chief Executive Officer, Bullnet
Bulletin and Enquiries Networking Services, Bayo Akintoye, said the USSD with
the code *997*50#, would soothe the pain
felt by Nigerians given the current scarcity of cash as it transitioned from
cash-based economy to a cashless one.
He said, “The CBN has collaborated with Chamsmobile Limited
(a CBN licensed Mobile Money Operator and Super-Agent) to address challenges
faced primarily by the unbanked, the underserved and those on the other side of
the digital divide by developing the service known as ‘eNairaeNhanced Services’
via the eNaira USSD channel (*997*50#) which is fully run and powered by the
patented Bullnet Platform.
“It is expected that Nigerians will proudly associate with
this innovation and register to have the eNaira wallet. These wallets can be
funded directly with cash-purchased vouchers (like the GSM recharge cards) or
from funded bank accounts using bank cards via the web portal or using
electronic payment with any authorized agent.
“Users can also transfer eNaira from one wallet to another
simply by inputting the recipient’s phone number. The service also makes it
possible for users to cash out by sending the eNaira directly from their
wallets to an ATM and withdrawing the cash equivalent without the need for a
bank account or bank card. The user can also send eNaira to a designated bank
account for savings or further transactions.”
He explained that in line with the cashless policy
instituted by the CBN, the eNaira was established under the Project Giant
initiative and launched by the President of Nigeria in October 2021.
The network of banking agents across the country such as the
Chamsmobile Super Agents and other mobile money agents, the POS agents and the
growing eNaira adoption agents would now become eNaira extension workers who
would be involved with eNaira agency, (selling vouchers to customers at a
profit and onboarding new users), education and advocacy (creating awareness
and education to the masses about the concept of the CBDC and its benefits), he
said.
The Project Coordinator, eNaira Project Giant Team, Otaru
Abdulkadir, who represented the Co-ordinator, eNaira, CBN said, the eNaira was
introduced to improve financial inclusion in the states, increase cross border
transactions, diaspora remittances and the likes and also complement our
payment infrastructure.
“As it is today, we are able to transact on the eNaira with
four methods; you can scan to pay, you could use your wallet ID that is when
you onboard, and the eNaira it gives you a 10 digit number. And of course you
can use USSD strength, and it is for everyone. It is available for everyone
with a mobile phone. It doesn’t have to be a smartphone or any data phone.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment