The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned street trading of foreign currencies by Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, citing the need to regulate the foreign exchange market properly.

CBN’s director of risk management, Blaise Ijebor, said street trading of foreign currencies is not allowed as the apex bank does not want BDCs under trees.

CBN reviews capital requirements for BDCs

He said the traders should be in offices where customers can come in and change their currencies.

The apex bank issued a new directive to BDCs to reapply for operational licenses.

The bank also reviewed minimum capital requirements for Tier 1 BDC operators to N2 billion and N500 million for Tier 2 licenses.

According to reports, Ijebor said the capital increase is meant to give the BDCs enough money to invest in the necessary infrastructure to provide adequate services and comply with regulations.

Naira falls in all markets

The naira reversed its gains after a four-day winning streak, declining by 1.55% to close at N1,485.66 in the official market on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

The decline comes after the naira maintained a steady rise in the official market before snapping on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

The Nigerian currency fell to its lowest since March 20, 2024, when it exchanged at N1.492.61 per dollar.

In the past week, the naira has steadily climbed, gaining against the US dollar, beginning with N1,497.33 per dollar on Friday, May 17, 2024, a 2,45% gain.