The ultimate 2020 guide: getting a POS machine in Nigeria

“Sorry, I don’t have enough cash. Do you take POS?”. I probably answered “No” to this question around 20 times, before I used my brains and decided to get a POS machine for my store in Lagos. If you’re still stuck in the phase of answering “no” to your customers, I created this guide to help you. In my previous post, I covered POS machines specifically for GTBank customers, so this post focuses on all licensed sources – banks or not.

If your customers are already asking if you have a POS machine, then I don’t need to explain why you need one because good business people listen to what customers want. Apart from offering your customers a better service, a POS makes it easy to account for sales as it blocks loopholes for financial mismanagement by sales staff. Before going any further, it might be worth discussing how a POS works to make sure we are on the same page.

What is a POS machine?

A POS (or Point of Sale) terminal is an electronic device which is used by businesses to accept card payments. Generally, POS machines are designed to accept payments from all the major card issuers and they play a huge role in reducing the amount of cash changing hands within the economy.

POS machines are a great investment for businesses for a number of reasons:

• More sales. Buyers buy more products without the psychological impact of having to physically ‘feel’ the amount of cash they are about to part with. How many times have you seen shoppers pick up something, count the cash, and then drop the item back because “it is not within the budget”?
• Customers have more flexible payment options
• Reduced queues. No need to count large sums of cash
• Security. Your store holds less cash and is less of a target for theft
• More opportunities to earn money. You can offer customers a “cash back” service

Features of a POS terminal

• Payments for purchase
• Balance enquiries
• Accepts all Cards (Visa, MasterCard, Verve
• Other Value Added Services (Bill Payments, Air time vending)
• Merchant has access to view transactions online real

How does a POS machine work?

Rather than a POS machine, you may have heard of an MPOS or Mobile Point-of-Sale instead. An MPOS is basically a smartphone, tablet or dedicated wireless device that performs the functions of a cash register or electronic point-of-sale terminal (POS terminal) wirelessly. These tend to be more versatile and offer lower charges (subsequently higher profit margins to the business).

With mPOS, businesses can accept payments without being plugged into a single location. This improves the customer experience by speeding up service and wait times and offering multiple payment options.

It is also cheaper and cost-effective, as it allows small business owners to accept payments without having to invest in an electronic register or pay to support the software. The mPOS technology is significantly less expensive than a traditional POS and it relies on cloud-based subscription models that boast low initial costs and monthly maintenance payments. 

Where to get a POS for your Business 

Now that you know the importance of accepting card payments from your customers, it is important to get these machines from the right and accredited channels. 

According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), the first place you should attempt to get a POS machine from is your bank. You should hold a business account with your bank, as commercial banks should be your first point of contact when it comes to getting a POS machine, for a number of reasons:

1. Your bank is a registered institution licensed to carry out financial transactions
2. They offer you high confidence and low risk 
3. You’re sure of continuous customer support on issues relating to the use of the machines 
4. You can get all you need under one roof at the bank’s physical location
5. The process is straightforward

Needless to say, different commercial banks have their unique requirements when it comes to getting a POS for your business. 

Banks that offer mPOS solutions

First City Monument Bank

The FCMB mPOS operates on Bluetooth enabled smartphone devices. First, you will need to download the mPOS app and then install it on your mobile device – all this takes a few seconds. The app is launched each time you need to perform a transaction [e.g. receiving payment] on the terminal. 

The PinPad (usually known as Chip reader) is connected to your mobile device through Bluetooth in order to process a transaction. The transaction type, amount and account type [savings or current] are captured on your mobile device while the PinPad only allows the cardholder [usually your customer] to insert his card and enter the PIN.

The status of the transaction can be subsequently generated through a Bluetooth enabled printer. You also have the option to send an electronic receipt sent to specified emails. 

The Key features

• It uses the data on a mobile device thereby offering a better network reliability in view of capability to swing across EDGE, 2G, 3G and 4G LTE
• It is more portable than regular POS terminals which makes it easier to move about with
• It gives merchant the option to print e-receipt for transactions consummated on the terminal
• It has capability to record cash or card transaction on the devices
• It has in App transaction history (view transaction history, daily, monthly, year or All)
• It connects to a mobile device via Bluetooth
• It also uses a Bluetooth enabled portable printer (though optional because it has capacity to issue e-receipt)

 The Benefits of the mPOS solution

• Better connectivity
• Faster and more reliable than regular POS terminals
• Better user experience
• Possibility of sales on the go
• Allows card and cash payments
• Low cost device
• Ease of integration to multi-platform

Another great commercial bank option is the UBA m-POS:

UBA m-POS

The UBA m-POS is a merchant software for accepting card payments, and settle directly into your bank account, quickly and hassle free. It features high level of functionality, EMV/Transaction Business Logic, Remote terminal management, audit logs, SMS messaging, multi-language and multi-currency functionalities. 

Unique Benefits 

• Small and lightweight 
• Lower cost than traditional POS
• Portable and flexible 
• Unique encryption key inside each device 
• Tamper proof and doesn’t store sensitive data

Are there licensed POS providers in Nigeria who are not banks?

Yes, they are. Commercial banks do not have a monopoly on the POS issuance framework. Other accredited companies that can issue you a POS variant for your business are:

1. PAYPAD

PayPad is a pioneer technology framework dedicated to offering solutions to financial space through its mPOS solution – which enables businesses to receive payments via their smartphones. It offers better transaction connectivity than the regular POS and also allows you to keep track of transaction details and reduce paperwork. 

The PayPad solution is a tested, trusted and reliable solution that is currently being deployed by 10 of the major banks in Nigeria with its service tailored to each bank’s individual requirements and needs. 

How it works

The PayPad device is paired with an application on your smartphone via Bluetooth or NFC connectivity. Its features include e-marketing, smart printing, payment acceptance, seamless integration, multi-location support, issuance of invoice and order. 

Receiving payments with PayPad is as simple as typing in the transaction amount on the app on your smart device. Optionally, you can also add a description of the item sold or service rendered. The transaction amount you enter is instantly sent to the PINpad, giving the customer visual confirmation of the purchase. The customer then inserts his card and punches in their PIN to permit the transaction. Once the payment is processed, the customer is notified to remove their card and the transaction is completed with receipts sent to the customer’s email address and a copy is saved on your transaction history page. 

Creating an account is free on this platform, provided you have an internet-enabled smartphone. You can start the process here. Signing up for PayPad is entirely free and requires nothing more than your basic business details and name of your bank. In less than 48 hours after signing up, a representative will get in touch with you 

2. ZIROOPAY

Built for the modern business owner like you, ZirooPay combines functionality with portability; making it perfect whether you sell in a store or on the go. ZirooPAy is an internet-free solution that helps businesses to process payments in real-time and manage their business operations, through real-time analytics, sales accounting and sales reports.  

Basic Features 

1. Super-easy set up and maintenance 
2. Availability of e-receipts to your customers 
3. Option of functioning without internet access 
4. Simplified payments 
5. Visual analytics 

3. iSELLUP

This POS solution involves both a mobile application on a smartphone for electronic transactions and a device that enables pin usage. Data communication between these two electronic components are very secure and the application does not save your customer’s card information – thereby reducing the chance for malicious transactions. It also leverages on the Bluetooth technology to print the reports of financial transactions. 

4. PAYTEN

Payten provides encrypted end-to-end payment solutions for financial and non-financial businesses through its versatile support for card and card-less transactions. Payten offers a wide range of opportunities for business owners to quickly secure and settle on virtual POS concurrences with various banks. 

5. PAYSWIFF

Backed by a decade of experience and excellence, Payswiff offers a wide range of innovative and reliable solutions to streamline the transaction experience on a secured platform for businesses. With its MPOS and a smartphone application, it supports over 60 different payment channels, including debit or credit cards, net banking, online e-wallets and UPI. It is fast, easy to use and provide hassle free payments. 

How it works

1.  Generate a payment link in seconds and send it to your customers using any messaging app like WhatsApp
2. Your customer will click on the link and pay using Net Banking, credit or debit cards, UPI, Bharath QR, e-wallets, etc. 
3. Your settlement account will be transferred to your bank account within two working days 

6. SMARTPESA

This is also a reliable mobile Point of Sale operator in Nigeria. The m-POS enables business owners to accept payments in-store or online using the Soft-POS features. The m-POS can handle both banking operations handled at bank branches and ATMs. Its POS operations has been extended to include cheque deposits, transfers and balance enquiries. 

Features 

1. Agency banking – with smartpesa, you can create a network of merchants and agents to provide banking services to their customers
2. Full transaction history for reporting and revenue share management
3. Customize transaction fees by transaction type, merchant group and pre-post transaction
4. Manage agents, devices and reports from a single centralized console 

7. NETPOS

NETPOS offers a lightning-fast android based m-POS powerhouse that has the mobility and flexibility to run rapid transactions on the go, as well as providing an opportunity to make payments at your business outlet with a simple scan of a QR code with the use of a smartphone. 

Key Benefits

• Low cost of acquisition
• Suitable app tailored for cash-in or cash-out transactions 
• Durability and warranty replacement 
• Zero set up and maintenance costs 
• Instant settlement 

NETPOS also offers a Store Manager App, an android based solution that allows businesses upload their inventories and perform transactions with multiple payment options. The STORM app is easy to use, offers instant settlement and inventory management. 

8. PAYONE

The PayOne m-POS solution serves as a cost-effective alternative to stand-alone point of sales devices in the Nigerian market. It gives business the chance to accept card payments with a smartphone or a tablet instead of using a traditional cash or checkout register. It can accept transaction processing for cards, cash and mobile money payment types.

This m-POS solution is built-ready for integration into Vouchers, Coupons and e-commerce applications – and it is packaged with analytics features that enables business owners to track their transactions.  

How it works

The m-POS is a separate device that connects to a smartphone or tablet and reads card payments. The m-POS device has a direct plug into a card reader thereby eliminating the need for a Bluetooth connection. 

The m-POS comes with a backend transaction trail software accessible over your smartphone from where you can track transactions and isolate unsettle transactions.

List of CBN approved vendors

You should also look through the list of approved vendors [and their POS variants] where you can get a POS for your business

Application/Terminal Name	Applicable Device	Approved Resellers	Approved Resellers Address
CitiApps	MPOS	Citiserve Limited	368, Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Lagos
Charge Anywhere	MPOS	Cloud Systems Limited.	12, Nun Street (Off Danube Street), Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria
GOSWIFF	MPOS	TITIS / Goswiff Limited	3 – 6 Alhaji Adejumo Avenue, Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria
MCASHIER	MPOS	Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited	Plot 19 Zone L, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island, Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi Lagos.
SMARTPESA	MPOS	Innovectives Limited	231 Ikorodu Road, Ilupeju 100525, Lagos, Nigeria
PAYNOW	MPOS	Interswitch Limited	Plot 1648C, Oko-Awo Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.
BBPOS Wisepad	MPOS	Innovectives Limited	231 Ikorodu Road, Ilupeju 100525, Lagos, Nigeria
DSPREAD QPOS	MPOS	SpacePointe Limited	242A, Alhaji Ganiyu Alimi Crescent, Off Lanre Awolokun Street, Gbagada Phase 2, Lagos.
PAIWAIZ	MPOS	Milesbreed Technologies Limited	Suite 37D Anon Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja, Nigeria
DSPREAD QPOS MINI	MPOS	Milesbreed Technologies Limited	Suite 37D Anon Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja, Nigeria
BASPAY	MPOS	Brain Alliance Synergy Limited	27 Oritse Street, Off Balogun Bus Stop, Ikeja, Lagos
BASCOLLECT	POS	Brain Alliance Synergy Limited	27 Oritse Street, Off Balogun Bus Stop, Ikeja, Lagos
		Brinq Africa Payment Solutions Limited	The Gates @ 6, 16 Mafemi Crescent, Utako, Abuja, Nigeria
Evolution	MPOS	ETOP Limited	68A, Surulere Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos
ZIROOPAY	MPOS	IROFIT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED	252, Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba, Lagos
		Contec Global Infotech Limited	8 Langtang Close, Area 3, Garki Abuja, Nigeria
POSLITE	MPOS	Itex Integrated Systems Limited	324, Akin Ogunlewe Street, Off Ligali Ayorinde, Victoria Island, Lagos
CashEnvoy PayPad Application (PayApp)	MPOS	Electronic Settlement Limited	13 Thorborn Avenue, Off Montgomery & Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
Miura Shuttle Mobile Chip and PIN Device	MPOS	Cloud Systems	12, Nun Street (Off Danube Street), Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria
DATECS Bluepad-50(CashEnvoy PayPad)	MPOS	Electronic Settlement Limited	13 Thorborn Avenue, Off Montgomery & Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
MCASHIER	MPOS	Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited	Plot 19 Zone L, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island, Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi Lagos
DSPREAD QPOS	MPOS	IntelliFin Solutions Limited	1C Admiralty Road, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria
SMARTPAY	MPOS	IntelliFin Solutions Limited	1C Admiralty Road, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria
ISELLUP	MPOS	Viratec Limited	108 Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute – Metta, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
BBPOS Chipper	MPOS	Brinq Africa Payment Solutions Limited	The Gates @ 6, 16 Mafemi Crescent, Utako, Abuja, Nigeria
NOWNOW MPOS	MPOS	Contec Global Infotech Limited	8 Langtang Close, Area 3, Garki Abuja, Nigeria
PAIWAIZ	MPOS	Milesbreed Technologies Limited	Suite 37D Anon Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja, Nigeria
POINTEPAY	MPOS	SpacePointe Limited	242A, Alhaji Ganiyu Alimi Crescent, Off Lanre Awolokun Street, Gbagada Phase 2, Lagos.
GA-MSR	POS	Global Accelerex Limited	8, Eric Moore Street, Wemabod Estate, Off Ajao Road, Ikeja, Lagos
Verifone E105	MPOS	Interswitch Limited	Plot 1648C, Oko-Awo Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.
EVOLUTION	POS	E-Top Limited	68A, Surulere Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos
PAYAPP	MPOS	Paymaster Limited	8, Louis Solomon Close, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos
Telpo TPS300 EFTPOS	POS	Bizzdesk Global Solutions Limited	17, Kado Binko Street, 2nd Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja FCT, Nigeria
GlosoftPOS	POS	Nera Networks Nigeria Limited	10, Samuel Manuwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
GlosoftPOS	POS	Globasure Technologies Limited	Plot 10B2, Ashabi Adewale Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria
TREZPAY	POS	3GeePay Limited	114 A&B Ilupeju Street, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.
AURORAPAY	POS	Aurora Wireless Limited	Plot 68, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano, Nigeria
Passage	POS	NETOP Business Systems Limited	9th Floor UAC Building, 1-5 Odunlami Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
AURORAPAY	POS	Aurora Wireless Limited	Plot 68, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano, Nigeria
PAYBIRD	POS	Ameya Infocom Limited	Plot 23 Otunba Adeshina Adeleke Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
Brinq Pay	POS	Brinq Africa Payment Solutions Limited.	The Gates @ 6, 16 Mafemi Crescent, Utako, Abuja, Nigeria.
Kimono	POS	Interswitch Limited	Plot 1648C, Oko-Awo Close, Victoria Island, Lagos
BBPOS Wisepad	MPOS	Viratec Limited	108 Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute – Metta, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
PAX D200	MPOS	Interswitch Limited	Plot 1648C, Oko-Awo Close, Victoria Island, Lagos

You can also find more list of approved resellers on the NIBSS platform here