Economy
Mobile Money transactions hit $1.68trn in one year
Mobile money platforms processed about 108 billion transactions valued at $1.68 trillion in 2024, according to GSMA’s ‘State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2025’ report released Tuesday.
GSMA’s mobile money programme works to advance the mobile money ecosystem of communities that lack access to more traditional banking services. The global body for telecom operators stated that mobile money transaction volumes increased by 20 percent year-on-year, while transaction values grew by 16 percent, up from a 13 percent increase in 2023.
“Transaction volumes and values for mobile money accounts experienced robust double-digit growth in 2024. Approximately 108 billion transactions, totalling over $1.68 trillion, were processed through mobile money accounts in 2024,” the report said.
Vivek Badrinath, director general of GSMA, said mobile money has emerged as a powerful driver of financial inclusion and economic growth. “Its continued success depends on supportive regulatory environments that promote innovation, accessibility, and help unlock the full socio-economic potential.
“To ensure mobile money remains accessible, affordable, and safe, it is vital for governments and regulators to work with financial service providers to support financial literacy programs, empowering underserved populations and opening new opportunities for financial decision-making,” he said.
The report stated that the GDP of countries with mobile money services increased by approximately $720 billion by 2023, reflecting a 1.7 percent increase. In Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile money added about $190 billion to GDP in the same year.
“The region remains the leader in mobile money, with active accounts increasing notably in East and West Africa. East Africa was highlighted for its growth in active accounts in 2024, followed by Southeast Asia and West Africa. Countries in East Asia-Pacific, including Cambodia, Fiji, the Philippines, and Vietnam, also demonstrated growth, attributed to favorable regulatory conditions.”
GSMA noted that mobile money providers in East Asia-Pacific have evolved to offer comprehensive financial services, with 44 percent providing credit services by June 2024. However, challenges persist, particularly for women, as eight of the 12 surveyed countries reported disparities in mobile money ownership based on gender.
“Nearly 60 percent of mobile money providers are addressing these gaps by implementing digital literacy initiatives,” the report said.
Mobile money reached two significant milestones in 2024, surpassing two billion registered accounts and over half a billion active monthly users across the globe. The industry took 18 years to achieve one billion registered accounts and 250 million active users from 2001, but this has doubled in the last five years.
Economy
SEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 27th April 2026
Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate
The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 27th April 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate.
The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today, including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.
Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 27th April 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1400 and buy at ₦1390 on Monday 27th April, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1400
Buying Rate ₦1390
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1361
Lowest Rate ₦1354
Economy
Nigerian Airline Operators Issue 7-Day Ultimatum Over Jet Fuel Crisis, Warn Of Flight Shutdown
Nigeria’s aviation industry is staring at a possible collapse within days as airline operators warn that flight operations may grind to a halt nationwide if the federal government fails to urgently intervene in the escalating aviation fuel crisis.
Operators under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) say the cost of Jet A1 has reached “unsustainable” levels, with prices reportedly surging by as much as 250 percent in Nigeria, far above global increases estimated at about 70 percent.
Industry players say the distortion is pushing airlines to the brink, with operating costs now heavily dollarised while access to credit remains trapped in a high-interest environment reportedly ranging between 30 and 35 percent.
Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema warned after a tense industry meeting that carriers may have no choice but to suspend operations if nothing changes within seven days.
“We are being pushed to the wall. At these levels, no airline can continue to operate sustainably,” Onyema said, adding that carriers may be forced to ground operations if no solution emerges within days.
Onyema said Nigerian airlines are under severe pressure due to a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices, which he argued is disproportionately higher than global trends following the U.S.–Iran conflict.
He explained that while aviation fuel prices typically move in line with crude oil increases, Nigeria has recorded a surge of about 250 to 270 percent, compared to roughly 70 percent in other countries, including elsewhere in Africa.
Onyema said the situation is making airline operations unsustainable and has pushed operators to the brink, prompting urgent discussions between government officials, airline operators, and fuel marketers to find a resolution.
“We have deliberated extensively today, and they have also shared their pain points. We have also shared ours. We are going to go back and wait for the outcome of their deliberations with the regulators,” he said.
“When they do that, we expect that within the next 48 hours, something drastic will be done, because no airline in this country will be able to fly within the next seven days if nothing is done.
“Not because airlines do not want to fly, but because the pricing, not only of our tickets but also of the fuel products we need to operate, may become unsustainable.
“We are already operating under heavy financial pressure, borrowing at 30 to 35 percent interest just to stay afloat, and we cannot continue to spend all our revenue on fuel alone.”
“The good news, as we observed yesterday, is that the President is listening, and this is very encouraging for us. We are hopeful. The country should also be hopeful, because the President, even while we were there, made a call to the honourable minister,” he added.
The warning comes amid a worsening standoff between airlines, petroleum marketers, and regulators over pricing mechanisms for aviation fuel, which operators insist has become artificially inflated through inefficiencies and market manipulation.
A crucial meeting convened by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), ended in deadlock, with no agreement reached on how to immediately crash or stabilise Jet A1 prices.
Keyamo admitted after the closed-door session that the crisis was threatening the survival of domestic airlines, adding that discussions would continue for 48 to 72 hours in search of a compromise.
He also acknowledged that airlines may be forced to increase ticket prices further if the situation persists, a development that could push air travel beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians already battling inflation and a weakened currency.
Despite the stalemate, the minister said the meeting was held with presidential backing, noting that President Bola Tinubu had been briefed and was monitoring developments closely.
Operators, however, remain unconvinced, insisting that repeated assurances without concrete price relief will not prevent what they describe as an imminent aviation shutdown.
Economy
See Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, April 23, 2026
The Nigerian Naira displayed a slight softening against the US Dollar in the early trading hours of Thursday, April 23, 2026, across both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets. Financial analysts are keeping a close eye on the market as mid-week demand for the greenback continues to influence rate stability.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the trading day with a modest depreciation.
According to real-time data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange, the Naira is currently trading at an average of 1,351.59 NGN per 1 USD. This represents a marginal decline compared to the opening rates observed earlier in the week, where the currency had seen support near the 1,347 NGN level.
Market turnover at the official window remains a key point of focus for investors, as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintains its policy of managed float to curb excessive volatility while ensuring essential sectors have access to foreign currency.
Parallel Market Trends
The informal or parallel market continues to trade at a significant premium compared to the official rate. Early morning reports from Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in major hubs such as Lagos (Ikeja and Broad Street), Abuja (Wuse Zone 4), and Kano suggest that the Dollar is being exchanged at rates ranging between 1,465 NGN and 1,480 NGN.
The spread between the NFEM and the parallel market currently sits at approximately 113 Naira, a gap that experts attribute to the unmet demand from small-scale importers and individuals seeking personal travel allowances (PTA) who often find the official channels more stringent.
Economic Factors and Outlook
The current pressure on the Naira is largely attributed to sustained demand for the Dollar to fund international trade obligations and service foreign debt. Additionally, the recent fluctuations in global oil prices—Nigeria’s primary source of foreign exchange—continue to dictate the strength of the nation’s external reserves.
As the trading session progresses into the afternoon, participants expect the rate to stabilize, though any significant intervention from the apex bank or shifts in market liquidity could alter the closing figures for the day. Market watchers are advised to monitor official closing reports for a comprehensive view of the day’s performance.
-
News21 hours agoSAD! Malian defence minister k!lled in coordinated attacks
-
News18 hours agoNAF airstrikes destroy terrorists camps in North East
-
News7 hours ago“There Is No Repentant Terrorist” — Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Warns FG, Cites Mali’s Security Collapse
-
Foreign7 hours agoWhite House Shooting Suspect Admits He Planned To ‘Shoot Trump Officials’
-
News7 hours agoFCT Teachers Suspend Strike After Wike’s N5bn Monthly Welfare Intervention
-
News18 hours agoJAMB distances self from ‘fake’ 394 UTME result slip in circulation
-
News16 hours ago“Chibok Girls’ School Snubbed Computers, Funds Donated by Peter Obi” – Aisha Yesufu
-
News16 hours agoPanic in Adamawa as Local Hunter Dies After Accidental Explosion During Joint Patrol With Troops

You must be logged in to post a comment Login