By David Akinmola
Signals from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) latest fintech survey suggest a possible recalibration of the regulator’s posture towards the fast-growing digital financial services ecosystem, raising expectations of a more collaborative and innovation-friendly framework.
Findings from the survey, which assessed the structure, risks and growth trajectory of Nigeria’s fintech landscape, point to increased regulatory recognition of the sector’s role in driving financial inclusion, payments efficiency and credit access, while also highlighting the need for stronger consumer protection and systemic risk management.
Industry analysts say the tone of the report departs from the largely restrictive approach that characterised earlier regulatory interventions, particularly in areas such as digital lending, cryptocurrency-linked services and payment innovations. Instead, the survey emphasises data-driven supervision, proportional regulation and stakeholder engagement as tools for balancing innovation with stability.
