The Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has mandated that all Point Of Sale (PoS) terminals across the country be geo-tagged within the next 60 days as part of renewed measures to combat fraud and improve regulatory oversight of the fast-expanding sector.
In a circular issued to operators—including Moniepoint, OPay, PalmPay, commercial banks, and other licensed providers—the apex bank directed that every existing PoS device must be registered with its precise GPS coordinates before the compliance deadline of October 20, 2025. The CBN further noted that all new devices must be geo-tagged before activation.
“The move is meant to curb fraud, stop the use of cloned or ‘ghost’ terminals, and make it easier to track transactions in real time,” the CBN stated. 
According to the directive, PoS devices will now be required to integrate built-in GPS technology and be connected to the National Central Switch through a special software development kit (SDK). This will enable the apex bank to monitor transactions and terminal locations in real time.
The CBN also emphasized that merchants would only be allowed to process payments within a 10-metre radius of their registered business addresses. Any PoS terminal operating outside its approved location risks immediate deactivation. Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs) and mobile money operators will be held accountable for ensuring compliance across their networks.
This directive comes amid the rapid growth of Nigeria’s PoS industry, which by 2023 had expanded to an estimated 1.5 million agents nationwide—roughly one PoS operator for every 80 Nigerians.
However, authorities have raised concerns that the boom has also created loopholes for fraud. Several PoS terminals have reportedly been linked to scams, illegal fund transfers, and even ransom payments.
With this new geo-tagging policy, the CBN said it aims to strengthen security, ensure transparency, and safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s payment ecosystem.
