Effect Of Cashless Policy On The Nigerian Economy

1.1 Background of the study 

One of the prerequisite for the development of national economy according to Ajayi and Ojo (2006) is to encourage a payment system that is secure, convenient, and affordable. In this regard, developed countries of the world, to a large extent, are moving away from paper payment instruments toward electronic ones, especially payment cards (Humphrey, D. B. 2004). In these countries, for instance, it is possible to pay for a vending machine snack by simply dialing a number on one?s phone bill. In recent times, the mobile phone is increasingly used to purchase digital contents (e.g. ringtones, music or games, tickets, parking fees and transport fees) just by flashing the mobile phone in front of the scanner at either ?manned‘ or unmanned point of sales (POS). In Nigeria, as it is in many developing countries, cash is the main mode of payment and a large percentage of the populations are unbanked (Ajayi and Ojo (2006). This makes the country to be heavily cash-based economy.

The introduction of electronic banking, online transactions and mobile banking in Nigeria has paved way for a new era of development where the use and demand for physical cash is gradually declining. These recent evolution of technology in the Nigerian financial institutions posses interesting questions for economist, financial institutions, business analyst and the government regarding the current economical status, logistics, and availability of instruments to guarantee economic growth and stability, efficiency and effectiveness of the cashless policy.

Since the inception of humanity, various payment methods have been used to purchase goods and services starting with the trade by barter. The trade by barter method of transaction has been the foundation for the introduction of money and coins to solve the problem of double coincidence of wants and divisibility faced by trade by barter. The use of money/coins was introduced after the use of trade by barter method, and it has solved various challenges associated with trade by barter, but the use of money as an exchange medium has its own challenges and dis-advantages and can still be replaced with a better payment system-the cashless policy/banking.

Various advantages enjoyed by more developed nations such as the US has prompted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to adopt the cashless policy. At the end of the 1980s the use of cash for purchasing consumption goods in the US has constantly dropped with inflation (Humphrey, 2004). Nigeria?s aim to be among the biggest economy by 2020 has driven her to gradually move from a pure cash economy to a cashless policy. Since Nigeria gained her independence in1960, there have been different constitutional reforms, change in economic and banking policies mainly aimed at stabilizing the economy, enhancing social welfare and enhancing economic growth and development.

In view of being one of the best and biggest economies in 2020, the CBN has started implementing the cashless policy/banking in some major states/cities in Nigeria such as Lagos, Kano, Port-Harcourt and Onitsha. The CBN and Pro cashless policy activists have asserted reduction in crime rates, minimized risk associated with carrying huge sums of money, reduction in political corruption, reduction in banking cost, improvement on monetary policy in management of inflation and the overall growth and development of the economy of Nigeria as advantages associated with the implementation of the cashless policy.

A cashless economy is an environment in which money is spent without being physically carried from one place to another. Electronic devices as means of information that reveal how much a person has deposited and has spent are needed. Information technology plays an important role in bringing about sustainable development in every nation. Without an optimal use of information technology, no country can attain a speedy social- economic growth and development. The future of all business particularly those in the services industry lies in information technology, in fact, information technology has been changing the ways companies and banks compete. Information technology is more than computers, it encompasses the data a business creates and uses as well as a wide spectrum of increasing convergent and linked technologies that process such data. Information technology thus relates to the application of technical processes in the communication of data. It is no doubt that information technology can help to reduce transaction costs for banks, which will translate to lower prices for services to customers. Information technology for banks takes different forms which include: computerization of customers? accounts and information storage and retrieval, deposit and withdrawal through Automated Teller Machine and networking to facilitate access to accounts from any branch of the bank. Other forms include bio-metrics used in finger- printing and identification which should dispense the use of passwords or personal identification by customers. The use of internet and websites to bundle a host of services that go beyond transactional financial services which is increasing among banks. The financial sector has undergone many organizational changes over time in order to facilitate easy production and trade of products and services. However, with accelerating development of the financial systems as a result of deregulation, globalization and new information system, new ways of handling money appeared among banks and their customers. The use of e-card, internet banking facilitates the ease and convenience in handling transactions. E- banking customers have possibility to access online or electronic banking for 24 hours which allows them to view historical banking transactions, transfer money between accounts, make savings, perform other operations at everywhere. Moreover increase in knowledge and ability to manage internet banking, banks and ATMs have resulted in more independent bank customers no longer requiring bank staff. The shift in bank customers? behavior and attitude towards cash services offered at the banks gave birth to cashless policy. This means banking is entirely relying on monetary transactions that use electronic means rather than cash. The cashless policy was conceptualized by the apex bank to migrate Nigeria?s economy from cash based economy to a cashless one through electronic payment system, not only to enable Nigeria monetary system be in line with international best practices or discourage movement of cash manually, but at the same time increase the proficiency of Nigeria?s payment system which will in turn improve the quality of service being offered to the banking public. Cashless policy aims to curb some of the negative consequences associated with the high usage of physical cash in the economy, including high cost of cash, high risk of using cash, high subsidy , informal economy, inefficiency and corruption (CBN,2011).The introduction of the policy in Nigeria therefore brings up issues that touch on security, privacy, crime and computerization. According to David (2012), Nigeria did not embrace electronic banking when compared to developed countries. Nigeria adopted electronic banking system in early 2000s. Electronic banking is defined as the use of computer to carry out banking transactions such as withdrawals through cash dispensers or transfer of funds at point of sale. Cashless policy started in Lagos, pilot state. The apex bank pegged withdrawal by individual and corporate accounts at N500,000 and N3million respectively. Processing (charges) fees for withdrawals above the limits for individual customers is 3% while that of corporate bodies is 5%. Charges for lodgements for individuals and corporate accounts are 2% and 3% respectively. However, ministries, departments, agencies, specialized banks, diplomatic missions, embassies, multilateral and donor agencies have been exempted from charges emanating from this policy. The cashless policy will potentially result in an extensive application of computer technology in the financial system which places the computer Professional Registration Council at the centre of control and regulation of the emerging in the Nigerian economy. The Central Bank of Nigeria has in recent times engaged in series of reformations aimed at both making the Nigerian financial system formidable and enhancing the overall economic performance of Nigeria so as to place it on the right path in tune with global trends. Recently, the CBN came out with two laudable agenda- the Islamic banking (non-interest banking) and the cashless economy(e-payment system)(Babalola,2008). Some of these policy measures came with tremendous success despite the initial scepticisms of Nigerians. For instance, when the CBN in July 2004 set December 31st ,2005 deadline for N25billion minimum capitalization, it was agreed with considerable criticism when the programme was completed , the banking landscape was transformed out of a system dominated mainly by ?fringe banks to one made up of largely ?mega banks? (Adeyemi,2006). The product of the exercise was to ensure a diversified, strong and reliable banking industry where there is safety of depositors? fund, and reposition of the banks to play active developmental roles in the Nigerian economy? (Adegbaju and Olokoyo, 2008). This remark sums up the assessment of analysis about the outcome of the reform agenda. In recent years, Nigeria has been experiencing growth and the condition seems right for launching unto a path of sustained and rapid growth, justifying its ranking amongst the 11 countries as identified by Goldman Sachs to have the potential for attaining global competitiveness based on their economic and demographic settings and the foundation for reforms already laid. Constraints to the achievement of Nigeria?s ambition to be among the top 20 economies of the world by year 2020 is the fact that the Nigerian economy is too heavily cash oriented in transaction of goods and services which is not in line with global trends. In its efforts to rescue the Nigerian economy from the brinks of total collapse; the CBN in collaboration with the Bankers? Committee, the cashless policy was designed to provide mobile payment services, breakdown the traditional barriers hindering the financial inclusion of millions of Nigerians and bring low-cost, secure and convenient financial services to urban, semi-urban and rural areas across the economy. 

The cashless policy initiated by the CBN led by its former Governor, Sanusi Lamido was introduced first in Lagos state, with the aim of achieving an environment where a higher and increasing proportion of transactions are carried out through cheque and electronic payments in line with the global trend (Obodo,2012). So much have been said about the anticipated gains that had resulted from the adoption of epayment and cashless economy but in concrete terms, people have been convinced that the agenda is for the good of all but the fear being expressed is the state of Nigerian infrastructural decay, lack of security on financial information, cost of ownership and adoption due to high cost of acquiring and maintaining internet data, computers and so on. The internet is perhaps one of the most useful tools to businesses and individuals in contemporary world economies. Its use has touched virtually every aspect of human endeavour especially banking. Technological breakthroughs and product designs have led to the emergence of e-banking services which in recent time has become globally popular except in developing countries including Nigeria (James,2012).The Central Bank of Nigeria in 2011 released a circular on the introduction of ?cashless policy? which sets cash deposit and withdrawal limits, that the country would from June1st 2012 join the committee of nations that embrace the electronic means of payment and limit the use of cash to the very barest. The apex bank has also gone ahead to assert that the commencement of its ?cashless policy? for cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt to demonstrate the CBN?s seriousness about the policy which has generated huge debate from Nigerians. While the apex bank is of the view that the cashless policy is the way to go in line with global trends, many Nigerians both informed and uninformed have divergent views about the policy (CBN,2011) .The cashless policy of the CBN is designated to provide mobile payment services, breakdown the traditional barriers hindering financial inclusion of millions of Nigerians and bring low cost, secure convenient financial services to urban, semi-urban and rural areas across the country. The CBN has gone ahead to license six Payments Terminal Service Providers to support and maintain Point of Sale (P.O.S) terminals. This step is a bold demonstration that apex bank is determined to see the policy work which has been kick started in Lagos early 2012 (Olajide,2012)

Argument in favour of cash-based transactions abounds in the literature.

A study conducted in UK in march 2010 (the future of cash in UK) argued that cash differs from other payment instruments in the following regards; it circulates, it is always valuable, it provides full and final settlement of a transaction, it allows for anonymity, once issued, the circulation of cash is uncontrolled, it is regarded as public good by its users. However, the cost of cash to Nigeria financial system is high and increasing; the cost was very close to fifty billion naira in 2008 (CBN, 2012). Recently, it has been revealed by the CBN that the direct cost of cash is estimated to reach a staggering sum of one hundred and ninety two billion naira in 2012. Other challenges resulting from high-cash usage among others include; robberies and cash-related crime, revenue leakage arising from too much of cash handling, inefficient treasury management due to nature of cash processing, high subsidy, high informal sector etc. Against these backdrops, the CBN introduced the cashless policy in April 2011 with the objective of promoting the use of electronic payment channels instead of cash. Presently, the CBN is conducting a pilot scheme of the cashless policy in Lagos, which commenced in January 1st 2012. So far, implementation of the policy in Lagos has not gained expected traction. Hence a rollout across the country has been substituted with phased implementation in Port Harcourt, Kano, Aba and the Federal capital territory (CBN 2012). Cashless economy does not refer to an outright absence of cash transactions in the economic setting but one in which the amount of cash-based transactions are kept to the barest minimum. It is an economic system in which transactions are not done predominantly in exchange for actual cash (Daniel, D. G., R. W. Swartz, and A. L. Fermar, (2004). A cashless society possesses the following characteristics;. All the money used is issued by private financial institutions (banks, and possibly other firms). It is conceivable that the central bank continues to operate like other banks, issuing its own deposits that could be used as money in the same way as other bank deposits are. However, in that case the central bank has no monopoly in the issue of Money. In a cashless society the unit of account (e.g. Dollar, euro) remains a national affair and is provided by the state. The followings among others enhance the functioning of cashless economy; e-finance, e-banking, e-money, ebrokering, e-exchanges etc .In a modern economy, the use of noncash payment methods such as cards (credit and debit) dominates the use of cash in payments. The card based payment system has several players. On the one hand, are the providers of the card based payment system- first of which is the card companies like MasterCard and Visa who provide their payment network for the system to function. The second set of providers are the banks that act as acquirers for merchants and issuers for cardholders and reach the card payment services to the ultimate users. For these two parties, the card payment system is an income generating initiative and they are motivated to run the system as they are able to generate adequate profits out of their operations. On the other side of the system are the users- both merchants and cardholders. The benefits these two players derive from the system are manifold- the convenience of electronic transactions, the ease of credit availability, increased sales, increased purchasing power, to list a few. Since they are the end users of the convenience the card payment system generates, they are the ones who bear the cost of the system. Apart from these four players there is the regulator of the payment system, usually the central bank of the country. The card based payment system cannot function in absence of any of its players. The global volume of non-cash transactions totaled 260 billion in 2009 ( world payments report 2011), after sustained average annual gains of 6.8% since 2001. The outright volume of these payments only remains heavily concentrated in developed markets. Developing countries are just improving their payments infrastructures, enabling wider adoption and greater usage of non-cash means and channels .They also tend to be open to innovations that can broaden their still-nascent base of users (world payments report 2011).

However, the global use of cash payment is still endemic, especially for low-value retail transactions. But while cash may be convenient, it makes taxation less transparent, and it is costly to distribute, manage, handle and process. It therefore follows that; cash as a mode of payment is an expensive proposition for any government. As a result, many governments are seeking to reduce these costs and encourage the use of non-cash payment means. The Nigerian economy is too heavily cash oriented in its transaction of goods and services and this is not in line with global trend, considering Nigeria's ambition to be amongst the top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020.For instance an overview of central bank of Nigeria policies on cash management in Nigeria?s financial system is high and increasing; direct cost of cash is estimated to reach one hundred and ninety two billion naira in 2012 (CBN 2011).