CBN Mandates BDCs to Cap Forex Profit At 1.5%

Agency Report

The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) on Thursday directed Bureau De Change (BDCs) operators to sell forex at a maximum profit margin of 1.5 per cent to correct market distortions.

In a circular to BDC operators and the public, which was signed by Aliyu Mahdi, acting director of the trade and exchange department, the apex bank said the directive was to normalise the foreign exchange market through ongoing reforms.

The circular titled “Sales of Foreign Exchange To BDCS To Meet Retail Market Demand For Eligible Invisible Transactions” outlined the rationale behind the directive.

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The regulator said persistent distortions in the retail market contributed to exchange rate disparities, particularly in the parallel market.

“To address this issue, the CBN has authorised the sale of FX to eligible Bureau De Change (BDCs) to satisfy demands for invisible transactions,” it stated.

Under the directive, each BDC is authorised to purchase $20,000 at N1,450 per dollar, reflecting the lower band of the trading rate observed in the previous session at NAFEM (Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market).

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“All BDCs are permitted to sell to eligible end-users at a profit margin not exceeding one point five per cent (1.5 per cent) above the CBN purchase rate,” the bank clarified.

The apex bank instructed eligible BDCs to remit naira payments to specified CBN naira deposit account numbers and submit payment confirmations alongside required documentation for disbursement at designated CBN branches in Abuja, Awka, Kano and Lagos.

(NAN)